Diversion Program Requirements and Costs

The Physical Therapy Board of California (Board) is authorized pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 2662 to provide a diversion program to assist physical therapists and physical therapist assistants whose competency is impaired due to abuse of dangerous drugs or alcohol so that they may be treated and returned to the practice of physical therapy in a manner which will not endanger the public health and safety. Entering into the diversion program does not stop an investigation or disciplinary action by the Board when a licensee chooses to enter the program when the Board is already aware of the addiction.

Licensees enrolled in the diversion program are required to pay the entire cost of the program pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 2668. The diversion program cost includes the monthly administrative fee, monthly health support fees, and random drug and alcohol testing fees.

Diversion Program Timeframe:

Participation in the diversion program is for a period of approximately 3-5 years.

Monthly Administrative Fee:

The participant pays the monthly administrative fee directly to MAXIMUS. The monthly administrative fee is currently $235.47. The monthly administrative fee is expected to increase to $297.00 by the end of September 2008. The monthly administrative fee may increase 3-5% annually each July.

Random Body Fluid Testing (RBFT) & Fee:

Frequency of testing typically ranges from 12 times to 36 times per year. The frequency is established and modified by MAXIMUS based upon the on-going clinical evaluation of each participant. The average cost of each RBFT is approximately $58.00 plus the collection fee at the testing site. Additionally, there are charges for medical review officer (MRO) reviews of drug test results, retests of specimen samples, and hair tests. These additional procedures are usually a direct result of problematic (i.e. positive) RBF test results.

Health Support Group Meetings:

Health Support Group Meetings are a treatment modality of the diversion program. These groups are attended exclusively by licensed professionals who are in their own recovery and involved in a diversion program. The Health Support Group Facilitators are licensed professionals who have extensive clinical experience in working with licensed professionals in recovery and in diversion programs. Each participant is required to attend Health Support Group Meetings two times per week during their first 18 months in the diversion program. The frequency of Health Support Group attendance can be reduced to one time per week after 18 months of successful participation in the program. This reduction is also based upon the on-going clinical evaluation of each participant.

Health Support Group Meeting Fees:

The participant pays the monthly health support group meeting fees directly to the Health Support Group Facilitator. The current fee schedule is $325.00 per month for two times per week and $225.00 per month for one time per week attendance. The Health Support Group Facilitators are independent practitioners who are individually contracted by MAXIMUS. The Health Support Group Facilitators have no financial affiliation with MAXIMUS.

12-Step Meetings:

All participants are required to attend community-based 12-step meetings. The frequency requirement for attending12-step meetings range from daily attendance to three times per week. The frequency requirement is established and modified by the Clinical Case Manager at MAXIMUS based upon the on-going clinical evaluation of each participant. There is not a cost associated with attending 12-step meetings. Contributions at the 12-step meetings are voluntary.

Clinical Assessment by MAXIMUS Assessors:

All participants are required to undergo an initial clinical assessment and subsequent re-assessments by MAXIMUS contracted Assessors. There is currently no cost to the PTBC participants for the initial clinical assessment and the annual re-assessments. However, if the participant is required to have more than one clinical assessment per year the participant is required to pay the cost for the additional clinical assessment. These additional assessments are usually a direct result of reoccurring problems in the Diversion Program.

Additional Costs to Third Parties:

Participants may be required to enter formal chemical dependency treatment (i.e. inpatient or outpatient facilities) at treatment programs approved by MAXIMUS. MAXIMUS does not have a financial relationship with any chemical dependency treatment programs. Referrals to specific treatment programs are based upon the assessment of a participant's clinical need. The cost of any formal chemical dependency treatment program is the sole responsibility of each participant. Participants may also be required to undergo formal treatment for mental health diagnosis. The cost of any formal treatment for mental health treatment program is the sole responsibility of each participant.

Worksite Monitor:

All participants are required to have a worksite monitor at his/her place of employment. Maximus will provide the application with the required consent forms at the time of enrollment. The worksite monitor is required to report to Maximus on the status of the participant.

Other Requirements:

The participant must submit monthly self-evaluation reports and call into Maximus on a routine, often daily, basis. The assigned Clinical Case Manager at Maximus will determine the frequency of how often the participant needs to call in. Participants are required to receive prior approval from the Clinical Case Manager at Maximus before scheduling and taking any vacations. The participant's Clinical Case Manager at Maximus may determine other requirements.

Self–Referrals

A licensee who enrolls into the Board's diversion program as a self-referral his/her participation is confidential. As a self-referred participant, if it is determined that the continued practice of physical therapy by that individual creates too great a risk to the public health, safety, and welfare, that fact shall be reported to the executive officer of the board and all documents and information pertaining to and supporting that conclusion shall be provided to the executive officer. The matter may be referred for investigation and disciplinary action by the board. Each physical therapist or physical therapy assistant who requests participation in a diversion program shall agree to cooperate with the recovery program designed for him or her. Any failure to comply with that program may result in termination of participation in the program.

Contact Maximus Inc. for information on how to enroll into the Board’s diversion program.
Maximus Inc.
1-800- 522-9198

All diverison program fees are subject to change.