On Sept. 18, Humana Military announced a change in TRICARE policy regarding the supervision requirements for physical therapist assistants in private practice. The change, which came into effect Jan. 1, indicates that general supervision is now acceptable for PTAs supervised by physical therapists instead of direct supervision as previously required.

The effective date is consistent with the change adopted in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule following years of regulatory and legislative advocacy.

The updated general supervision policy, applicable to both TRICARE regions, means a PT is no longer required to be physically present during treatment, as with direct supervision, but must remain available for consultation and direction. This policy provides greater flexibility for clinics and facilities, particularly in rural and underserved areas, while maintaining quality and oversight standards.

APTA Director of Health Policy and Payment Sharon L. West, JD, commented on the importance of TRICARE’s update. “General supervision allows physical therapist assistants to treat patients more independently, which helps practices expand scheduling capacity and reduce wait times for beneficiaries. For providers serving geographically dispersed military populations, the change reduces the administrative burden associated with coordinating direct oversight and enables PTAs to deliver consistent care even when supervisors are off-site.”

This positive update comes on the heels of recent APTA staff and member advocacy that resulted in Congress formally investigating ongoing issues with the TRICARE system affecting health care providers and military families who rely on the program for coverage and care.

APTA remains committed to working with TRICARE and other federal stakeholders to ensure that all policies governing physical therapy reflect current best practices, evidence-based standards, and the evolving realities of patient care delivery across the country.