Next Event: 2026 Documentation for Evaluations and Reevaluations for PT, OT, and SLP
Date: March 19,2026
Can Assistants Write Discharge Reports?
A question I am often asked is can a physical therapist assistant (PTA) or an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) write discharge reports on Medicare beneficiaries as well as patients with commercial or other insurance coverage? The answer to this question is
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Not a simple question but can a PTA/COTA take final measurements and and objective testing results for the PT/OT with the PT/OT then completing the DC and co sign the Assistants entries.
From a scope of practice standpoint, PTAs and OTAs can take measurements and do objective testing. How that data is incorporated into the DC report, I leave up to individual organizations to determine based on therapy state practice acts.
Question on a discharge scenario involving a PTA: A patient comes to the clinic and sees the PTA for their 3rd visit. The patient is scheduled for one more visit the following week with the primary PT, but subsequently cancels their appointment with the primary PT and after a months time still has not rescheduled a follow up visit. Can the PTA write a discharge no return note and have the primary PT sign the note? Or would it be the responsibility of the primary PT to write a discharge note?
The Medicare program still requires a DC report when a patient stops coming to therapy on their own.