Survival of physician self-referral to physical therapy centers with physician-held owner interest.

Physician ownership of ancillary services has grown during recent years as a means of expanding financial security--as well as providing convenient access for patients and physicians. As these investments have spread, so too have concerns expressed by professional organizations and state and federal regulatory commissions. This professional paper will explore the historical perspective of federal and state regulatory impacts regarding physician ownership of ancillary services (specifically physical therapy centers), will develop a view of yesterday's regulatory impacts and help outline the necessity of change for tomorrow.