Rhode Island PT, OT and SLP guide

For OT, PT and SLP clinics in Rhode Island: one department licenses all three disciplines; the licensing law lets a physical therapist treat without a referral after a written disclosure and consent, with a referral to a doctor within ninety days unless treatment has concluded; Rhode Island Medicaid covers children’s therapy under EPSDT; and telehealth follows the patient’s location.⁠^1,2,3,4,5,6

Who licenses OTs, PTs and SLPs in Rhode Island?

The Rhode Island Department of Health licenses all three disciplines, and each profession has its own statute, renewal date and continuing-education requirement.⁠^1,7,8 A clinic that employs more than one discipline still keeps three registers, not one.

Physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists all answer to the Rhode Island Department of Health, each profession under its own statute and continuing-education rule.⁠^1,7,8 Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Health, which has a seven-member Board of Physical Therapy within its division of professional regulation: four physical therapists, one physical therapist assistant, one physician and one consumer, appointed by the director of health with the governor’s approval.⁠^{1,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46} No one may represent himself or herself as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in Rhode Island without a license under the chapter.⁠^{1,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46} Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Health, which has a five-member Board of Occupational Therapy Practice within its division of professional regulation: three occupational therapists, one physician and one consumer, appointed by the director of health with the governor’s approval.⁠^{7,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55} No one may practice occupational therapy or hold himself or herself out as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in Rhode Island without a license under the chapter.⁠^{7,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55} Speech-language pathologists are licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Health, which has a five-member Board of Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: two speech-language pathologists, one audiologist, one otolaryngologist and one consumer representative.⁠^{8,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67} No one may practice as, advertise as or use the title of speech pathologist in Rhode Island without a license.⁠^{8,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67} A license is a state authorization; a national certification (NBCOT for occupational therapy, the ASHA certificate for speech-language pathology, the NPTE for physical therapy) is a different thing and does not replace it. Compact privileges for practitioners licensed elsewhere are covered under telehealth below.

What does a Rhode Island license renewal require?

The department sets a separate cycle and hours for each profession, listed in the table above, and the register template at the end of this page tracks them per clinician.⁠^1,7,8 A renewal missed is a lapse, and the department’s own rules say what a lapsed licensee may and may not do; the clinic reads those rules before a clinician’s renewal date passes, not after.

Can a patient see a Rhode Island PT, OT or SLP without a referral?

State law answers this discipline by discipline, and a payer may still require a referral the law does not. For physical therapy, the licensing law lets a patient seek or receive treatment from a physical therapist without a referral, and when that happens the physical therapist must disclose in writing the scope and limitations of physical therapy, obtain the patient’s written consent, and refer the patient to a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry or chiropractic within ninety days after treatment began, unless treatment has concluded.⁠^2,9,10,11 In a school setting, a physical therapist may serve a student under the student’s IEP or IFSP without a prescription or referral.⁠^2,9,10,11 For occupational therapy, the licensing law defines occupational therapy to include evaluation by skilled observation of functional performance or by standardized or nonstandardized tests, and lists evaluating and providing treatment in consultation with the individual, family or other appropriate persons among occupational therapy services.⁠^68,69 For speech-language pathology, the licensing act requires a license and defines the practice of speech-language pathology to include prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, habilitation and rehabilitation, and determining the need for augmentative communication systems.⁠⁷⁰

The payer’s rule is separate. Medicare pays for outpatient therapy under a plan of care certified by a physician or nonphysician practitioner, and the regulation’s 2025 text lets a signed order or referral on file, with the plan delivered within 30 days of the initial evaluation, stand in for that signature on an initial plan.⁠²³ Rhode Island Medicaid’s referral and prior-authorization rules are in the next section. A commercial plan’s rule is in its member contract and provider manual, and the clinic keeps a copy of each.

How does Rhode Island Medicaid pay for therapy?

Rhode Island Medicaid is run by the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), and a clinic enrolls through its provider enrollment route before it bills.⁠⁷¹ For children, the federal EPSDT benefit requires the state to cover services that correct or ameliorate a condition found at a screening, whether or not the state plan covers them for adults.⁠⁷² Children on Rhode Island Medicaid are served through RIte Care, the managed care delivery system for eligible parents and caretakers, pregnant women, children up to age 19, young adults over 19 and foster children. The Medicaid reference manuals for occupational therapy and speech therapy, dated November 2025, list the procedure codes the program reimburses, such as the OT evaluation codes 97165 to 97168 and treatment code 97530, and the speech codes 92507, 92523 and 92526.⁠^3,4,5,6

Rhode Island Medicaid requires prior authorization for the specific procedures, services and equipment the program identifies. The provider starts the request, the status appears in the Healthcare Portal, and the state answers a standard request within 7 days and an expedited request within 72 hours.⁠^73,74,75 RIte Care members are enrolled in a managed care organization that EOHHS pays a capitated rate, and the plans serve children, parent caretakers, foster children and pregnant women. EOHHS posts managed care contracts with Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Tufts Health Public Plan and UnitedHealthcare of New England.⁠^76,77,78 The fee schedule is published by the agency, and a clinic reads the current file rather than a remembered rate.⁠⁷⁹

How does Rhode Island Medicaid want OT, PT and SLP claims coded?

Claims go to Gainwell Technologies within 365 days of the date of service, electronically as an 837 professional claim or on the CMS 1500 form, with eligibility verified on each date of service, payment by electronic funds transfer at the fee schedule, and no balance billing of the member.⁠^{80,81,82,83,84,85} The codes, modifiers and authorization forms are each plan’s and the program’s and change with them, so the clinic reads the current versions before its first claim and records the date read in the payer register.

Does Rhode Island Medicaid pay for therapy in schools?

Rhode Island Medicaid pays schools and districts for Medicaid-eligible services to enrolled students by or for local education agencies, under EOHHS’s School-Based Medicaid Direct Services Guidebook.⁠⁸⁶ A school’s billing is the district’s, under its own program; an outpatient clinic’s claim for the same child is a separate matter with its own eligibility and authorization.

Does Rhode Island Medicaid cover therapy by telehealth?

Rhode Island Medicaid’s telemedicine billing guidance, effective September 1, 2025, pays for services that are medically necessary and clinically appropriate for telemedicine as the rendering provider determines, and its audio-only section names physical therapy among services requiring visual or physical assessment.⁠^87,88 The telehealth section below covers the state’s own rules for the session itself.

What are Rhode Island’s telehealth rules for therapy?

A therapist treating a patient by video needs authority to practice where the patient is located at the time of the session, and the federal telehealth site says so plainly: licensure follows the patient’s location, and a compact privilege is one route to it.⁠¹² Rhode Island’s Telemedicine Coverage Act defines telemedicine to include real-time audio, video and telephone-audio-only communications and store-and-forward technology, counts Rhode Island Medicaid and its managed care entities among the health insurers it binds, and defines a healthcare professional as a physician or other practitioner licensed to perform healthcare services under state law. Rhode Island Medicaid’s telemedicine guidance requires the patient’s consent to receive telehealth services in lieu of in-person healthcare services, consistent with state law, and lists among patient rights that patients may refuse or withdraw consent for telehealth services.⁠^{89,90,91,92,93}

A compact privilege is not a national license: it is a privilege to practice in the specific member state that issued it, under that state’s licensing law, and a state that has enacted the compact may not yet be issuing privileges, which is why the table names the commission’s current status.⁠^13,14,15 Rhode Island bars a health insurer from excluding a covered service only because it is delivered by telemedicine, where the service is medically necessary and clinically appropriate for telemedicine, caps telemedicine cost sharing at the in-person amount, and bars stricter prior authorization for telemedicine than for in-person care. Its payment-parity clause is limited to in-network primary care providers, registered dietitian nutritionists and behavioral health providers.⁠^94,95

Which business steps are specific to Rhode Island?

The entity is registered with the Rhode Island Department of State, Division of Business Services, and the professional service corporation law names the professions that may use it.⁠^27,28 Rhode Island’s professional service corporation law names physical therapists among the professions that may organize a professional service corporation, with the Department of Health’s licensing board as their regulatory agency, and lets physical therapists combine with physicians and other listed health professions in one corporation.⁠^29,30 State tax registration is with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation.⁠⁹⁶ Rhode Island’s sales tax reaches the furnishing of services only as the statute defines them, an enumerated list of taxicab and limousine, other road transportation, pet care, room reseller, investigation and guard, and parking services. Prescription drugs, durable medical equipment for home use, prosthetic devices sold on prescription and mobility-enhancing equipment are exempt.⁠^97,98,99,100 Rhode Island’s workers’ compensation law covers every person, firm and private corporation that regularly employs employees in the same business or establishment under a contract of hire, and the Department of Labor and Training says employers with one or more employees must provide workers’ compensation insurance.⁠^101,102 A city or county business license is a local question, answered by the city hall of the clinic’s address. The startup-costs guide carries the budget worksheet these registrations go into.

What record and privacy rules apply in Rhode Island?

As a Rhode Island Medicaid requirement, providers keep the records needed to show the nature and extent of services for at least ten calendar years after the year of service and furnish them in Rhode Island on request. The physical therapy rule requires written supervision documentation for each physical therapist assistant.⁠^24,25,26 Two federal periods sit beside it and are often confused with it: Medicare requires 7 years for documentation of orders, certifications, referrals and payment requests, and HIPAA requires 6 years for its own compliance documentation, and neither sets the retention period for the clinical chart.⁠^103,104

Rhode Island’s Confidentiality of Health Care Communications and Information Act bars releasing or transferring a patient’s confidential healthcare information without the patient’s or an authorized representative’s written consent on a form the statute prescribes, apart from the disclosures the statute permits, and makes a violator liable for actual and punitive damages.⁠^105,106 Rhode Island requires anyone who stores or owns data with personal information to notify any Rhode Island resident whose information was, or is reasonably believed to have been, acquired without authorization where the breach poses a significant risk of identity theft, within 45 calendar days of confirming the breach for a private person or business, and to notify the attorney general and the major credit reporting agencies when more than 500 residents are notified.⁠¹⁰⁷ Rhode Island requires any person with reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected to report it to the Department of Children, Youth and Families within 24 hours. Speech pathologists, audiologists and physical or occupational therapists with reasonable cause to believe a person 60 or older has been abused, neglected or exploited, or is self-neglecting, must make an immediate report to the director of the Office of Healthy Aging.⁠^108,109

Which Rhode Island rules shape a pediatric clinic?

Rhode Island’s Early Intervention Program, on the Executive Office of Health and Human Services’ site, serves infants and toddlers under age 3 with a developmental disability or delay in one or more areas, at no cost to families and without a Medicaid requirement. A family applies by contacting an Early Intervention provider from the state’s directory, and a referred child receives a comprehensive developmental evaluation.⁠^31,32,33,34 A child who turns three moves from early intervention to the school district’s evaluation, and a private clinic’s services run beside both systems rather than inside them. Rhode Island requires group health insurance contracts issued or renewed from January 1, 2012 to cover autism spectrum disorders, including physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis, psychology, psychiatric and pharmaceutical services, with therapy covered to the extent the policy covers it for other conditions, until the covered individual reaches age 15. Small employer, individual and Medical Assistance plans are outside the chapter.⁠^110,111 The autism insurance mandates guide covers how such a mandate meets a plan’s own terms.

Which Rhode Island rules shape an adult clinic?

Medicare claims from Rhode Island go to National Government Services, Inc., the Medicare Administrative Contractor for Jurisdiction K, Parts A and B (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont), whose local coverage articles for therapy are the ones a Rhode Island clinic reads.⁠¹¹² The director of the Department of Labor and Training sets a medical fee schedule of rules and reimbursement rates for workers’ compensation medical services, with hospital services paid under separate hospital rates, and the schedule is viewed or ordered through the department’s vendor.⁠^113,114

Which associations and directory pages serve Rhode Island?

The state chapters are APTA Rhode Island for physical therapy and the Rhode Island Occupational Therapy Association (RIOTA) for occupational therapy.⁠^115,116 On DrSensory, families browse Rhode Island clinics by discipline on the occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy pages for the state, which the directory builds from the clinic addresses it holds; a clinic appears on the pages of its own address.⁠¹¹⁷

Which Rhode Island cities have DrSensory city pages?

Beyond its three Rhode Island pages, the directory publishes city pages for one Rhode Island city, Providence, three pages across the three disciplines, each listing the clinics whose address is in that city; a clinic appears on the city page of its address without any action of its own, and a city or discipline without a page is reached through the state page.⁠¹¹⁷

How many Rhode Island PT, OT and SLP clinics does DrSensory list?

DrSensory lists 24 PT, OT and SLP clinics in Rhode Island, on its occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy pages for the state.⁠¹¹⁷

Where does each requirement come from, and what does the clinic do?

Which templates does a Rhode Island launch need?

How might two Rhode Island clinics plan a launch?

Sources

1. Rhode Island Department of Health. Board of Physical Therapy. Checked October 30, 2026.
2. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-13, Grounds for discipline of licensees. Checked October 30, 2026.
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   “(b) Whenever a patient seeks or receives treatment from a physical therapist without referral from a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, chiropractic, physician assistant, or certified registered nurse practitioner, the physical therapist shall: (1) Disclose to the patient, in writing, the scope and limitations of the practice of physical therapy and obtain his or her consent in writing; and (2) Refer the patient to a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic within ninety (90) days after the date treatment commenced; provided, that a physical therapist is not required to make this referral after treatment is concluded.”
3. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 210-RICR-30-05-2, Medicaid Managed Care Delivery Options, § 2.3, Definitions. Checked October 30, 2026.
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   “22.“RIte care” means the Medicaid managed care delivery system for eligible parents/caretakers, pregnant women, children up to age nineteen (19), young adults older than age nineteen (19), and foster children (DCYF custody) (see § 2.1 of this Part).”
4. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. RI Medicaid Provider Reference Manual, Occupational Therapy (Version 1.0, November 2025). Checked October 30, 2026.
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   “Reimbursable Occupational Therapy Procedure Codes The following table lists all occupation therapy services reimbursable through the Medicaid Program. Procedure Code Description ... 97165 EVALUATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, TYPICALLY ... 97168 RE-EVALUATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, ... 97530 THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES, DIRECT PATIENT CONTACT ...”
5. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. RI Medicaid Provider Reference Manual, Speech Therapy (Version 1.0, November 2025). “92507 TREATMENT OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, VOICE, ... 92523 EVALUATION OF SPEECH SOUND PRODUCTION WITH ... 92526 TREATMENT OF SWALLOWING DYSFUNCTION AND/OR ORAL ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
6. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Early Intervention Program (page last updated February 20, 2026). “There is no cost to families to receive Early Intervention services. Children do not have to be eligible for RI Medicaid to receive services.” Checked October 30, 2026.
7. Rhode Island Department of Health. Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Checked October 30, 2026.
8. Rhode Island Department of Health. Board of Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Checked October 30, 2026.
9. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 216-RICR-40-05-13, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, § 13.4.6, The Practice of Physical Therapy. Checked October 30, 2026.
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   “A.Whenever a patient seeks or receives treatment from a physical therapist without referral from a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic, the physical therapist shall: 1.Disclose to the patient in writing the scope and limitations of the practice of physical therapy and shall obtain their consent in writing in accordance with the “American Physical Therapy Association, Standards of Practice for Physical Therapy” incorporated above by reference at § 13.2(E) of this Part; and 2.Refer the patient to such a practitioner within ninety (90) days after the date treatment commenced; provided, however, a physical therapist shall not be required to make such a referral after treatment is concluded.”
10. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-24, Physical therapy in a school setting. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “A physical therapist licensed under this chapter may perform physical therapy services without a prescription or referral, when providing physical therapy services in a school setting to a student in accordance with the provisions of the student’s individualized education plan (IEP) or individualized family service plan (IFSP).”
11. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-1, Definitions. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(9) “Practice of physical therapy” means: (i)(A) Examination, evaluation, treatment, and instruction of patients/clients to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability, physical dysfunction, and pain from injury, disease, and any other bodily conditions; ... (ii) The practice of physical therapy does not include the practice of medicine as defined in chapter 37 of this title.”
12. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Getting started with licensure (Telehealth.HHS.gov, last updated February 21, 2024). Checked October 26, 2026.
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    “Health professionals must meet the licensure requirements of the state where they are located and be licensed or legally permitted to practice in the state where the patient is located”. Its companion page, Licensing across state lines (last updated April 30, 2025): “The ability to deliver health care services across state lines varies based on state regulations”; “Prior to an appointment, providers should verify patient location and obtain consent”; “Compacts allow participating health care providers to practice in participating states”.
13. PT Compact Commission. PT Compact Map. “Enacted Legislation (3) Maine Michigan Rhode Island ... 3 Enacted Legislation Not Yet Issuing or Accepting Compact Privileges ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
14. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40.2-1, Short title (Rhode Island Physical Therapist Licensure Compact). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode Island Physical Therapist Licensure Compact Act.” History of Section. P.L. 2024, ch. 272, § 1, effective June 25, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 273, § 1, effective June 25, 2024.”
15. Rhode Island Department of Health. Physical Therapists (Physical Therapy Compact; page last updated October 5, 2026). “While this legislation has passed in RI, the compact is not currently operational.” Checked October 30, 2026.
16. Occupational Therapy Compact Commission. Before You Apply for an OT Compact Privilege. “States not listed below are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact. ... State Accepting OTC Applications? ... Rhode Island Not Yet not required RI OT Practice Act RI OT Rules $140 $140 ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
17. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-1, Short title (Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact.” History of Section. P.L. 2024, ch. 266, § 1, effective June 25, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 267, § 1, effective June 25, 2024.”
18. Rhode Island Department of Health. Occupational Therapists (Occupational Therapist Compact; page last updated September 25, 2026). “While this legislation has passed in RI, the compact is not currently operational.” Checked October 30, 2026.
19. Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Commission. ASLP-IC Home. “Registration is open for licensed practitioners in Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
20. Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Commission. Delegate Information (Member State Appointed Delegates). “Member State Appointed Delegates State Affiliation Name ... Rhode Island Audiology ... Rhode Island SLP ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
21. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-48.3-1, Purpose (Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(a) The purpose of this chapter is to establish participation in a compact to facilitate interstate practice of audiology and speech language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services. ... History of Section. P.L. 2024, ch. 270, § 1; P.L. 2024, ch. 271, § 1.”
22. Rhode Island Department of Health. Speech-Language Pathologists/Audiologists (page last updated September 25, 2026). “While this legislation has passed in RI, the compact is not currently operational.” Checked October 30, 2026.
23. Code of Federal Regulations. 42 CFR 424.24, Requirements for medical and other health services furnished by providers under Medicare Part B (eCFR, up to date as of October 22, 2026; paragraph (c), outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services). Checked October 26, 2026.
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    “The individual needs, or needed, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology services.”; “The services were furnished while the individual was under the care of a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant.”; “The initial certification must be obtained as soon as possible after the plan is established.”; “Recertification is required at least every 90 days.”; “When it is recertified, the plan or other documentation in the patient’s record must indicate the continuing need for physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech-language pathology services.”; “the therapist has documented evidence that the plan of treatment has been delivered to the physician, NP, PA, or CNS within 30 days of completion of the initial evaluation, the certification does not need to be signed by a physician, NP, CNS, or PA who has knowledge of the case.”; “No references to an order or referral in this subsection shall be construed to require an order or referral for outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology services.”.
24. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. RI Medicaid Provider Reference Manual, General Guidelines (Version 1.6, February 2026). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “Record Retention Providers agree to maintain, for a minimum of ten (10) calendar years after the year of service, information and records necessary to determine the nature and extent of services rendered under the RI Medicaid Program and furnish them in the State of Rhode Island upon request by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the RI Medicaid Program, and to the Department of Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.”
25. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 216-RICR-40-05-13, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, § 13.4.7, Supervision. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “3.The physical therapist shall maintain the following written documentation regarding the supervision of a physical therapist assistant: a.Necessary instruction; b.On-site supervision of the physical therapist assistant’s performance; c.Review of the physical therapist assistant’s documentation; d.A reassessment; and, e.Appropriate update of the patient’s program and goals.”
26. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 210-RICR-20-00-1, Medicaid Payments and Providers, § 1.6(D), Site visits. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “... viii.Recordkeeping. Patient and staff records are securely stored in compliance with federal and state privacy, confidentiality, and retention rules. Medicaid patient records are available to review upon request by EOHHS and adequately support the need for services and the nature of services that are delivered in accordance with state and federal rules.”
27. Rhode Island Department of State. Business Services. “Use our electronic filing system to quickly file your corporate documents.” Checked October 30, 2026.
28. Rhode Island Department of State. Business Services Online Filing System. “New Entities Start a RI Business Start or Register a Non-Profit Register a Foreign (Out-of-State) Business ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
29. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-5.1-2, Definitions (Professional Service Corporations). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(2) “Professional services” means the rendering of personal services by a person authorized to practice as one of the following professions as defined: (i) Physicians; (ii) Dentists; (iii) Attorneys at law; (iv) [Deleted by P.L. 2000, ch. 328, § 1, and by P.L. 2000, ch. 513, § 1.] (v) Professional engineers; (vi) Architects; (vii) Certified public accountants and licensed public accountants; (viii) Veterinarians; (ix) Chiropractors; (x) Podiatrists; (xi) Registered nurses; (xii) Optometrists; (xiii) Physical therapists; (xiv) Landscape architects; (xv) Land surveyors; (xvi) Opticians; (xvii) Physician assistants; (xviii) Psychologists; or (xix) Midwives or nurse-midwives.”
30. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-5.1-3, Authority to practice. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(b) Nothing in these provisions is to be construed to prohibit a corporation organized under this chapter from engaging in the practice of the following combination of professions: (1) Physicians, dentists, registered nurses, podiatrists, optometrists, physician assistants, chiropractic physicians, physical therapists, psychologists, midwives, or nurse-midwives ...”
31. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Early Intervention Program (page last updated February 20, 2026). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “Rhode Island’s Early Intervention Program promotes the growth and development of infants and toddlers who have a developmental disability or delay in one or more areas. Developmental disabilities or delays can affect a child’s speech, physical ability, or social skills. Children referred to the Early Intervention Program receive a comprehensive developmental evaluation to determine if they are eligible.”
32. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Early Intervention Program (page last updated February 20, 2026). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “Eligibility Children must be under age 3 and have a developmental disability or delay in one or more areas. Cost There is no cost to families to receive Early Intervention services. Children do not have to be eligible for RI Medicaid to receive services.”
33. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Early Intervention Program (page last updated February 20, 2026). “How to Apply To apply, contact an Early Intervention Provider in Rhode Island. See the list below for Early Intervention Providers in Rhode Island.” Checked October 30, 2026.
34. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Early Intervention Providers (page last updated June 4, 2026). “Early Intervention Providers Resources and information for EI providers: Early Intervention Referral Information EI Certification Standards Early Intervention Policies and Reports RI Early Intervention Program EI Program Billing Information ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
35. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-2, Board of physical therapy — Creation — Composition. “Within the division of professional regulation of the department of health, there is a board of physical therapy consisting of seven (7) members as provided by § 5-40-3.” Checked October 30, 2026.
36. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-3, Board of physical therapy — Composition — Appointment, terms, oath, and removal of members. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “The board shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the director of the department of health with the approval of the governor. Four (4) members shall be licensed physical therapists; one member shall be a licensed physical therapist assistant; one member shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state; and one member shall be a consumer.”
37. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-1, Definitions. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(5) “License” means a license issued by the department to practice physical therapy. (6) “Physical therapist” means an individual who is licensed by the department to practice physical therapy. (7) “Physical therapist assistant” means an individual who is licensed by the department to assist in the practice of physical therapy under the supervision of a physical therapist.”
38. Rhode Island Department of Health. Physical Therapists (Initial Licensing & Renewal Information; page last updated October 5, 2026). “Renewal notices are sent out 60 days before your expiration date.” Checked October 30, 2026.
39. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-9, Right of use of the title of physical therapist. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(a) To safeguard the welfare and health of the people of the state, it is unlawful for any person to represent himself or herself as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in this state or to use any title, abbreviation, sign, or device to indicate that the person is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant unless this person has been licensed pursuant to the provisions of §§ 5-40-7 and 5-40-7.1.”
40. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-10, Continuing education requirements and expiration and renewal of licenses. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(a) The certificate of every person licensed under the provisions of this chapter shall expire on the first day of May of the next even year following the date of original licensure. ... shall file with the department a renewal application executed together with a renewal fee as set forth in § 23-1-54 on or before the thirty-first day of March of each even year.”
41. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 216-RICR-40-05-13, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, § 13.4.5, Issuance and Renewal of License. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “A.A license to practice physical therapy in this state, unless sooner suspended or revoked, shall expire on the first day of May of the next even year following the date of issuance of the original license.”
42. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-10, Continuing education requirements and expiration and renewal of licenses. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “Every licensed person who desires to renew his or her license shall provide satisfactory evidence to the department that in the preceding two (2) years the practitioner has completed the twenty-four (24) required continuing education hours as established by the department through rules and regulations ...”
43. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 216-RICR-40-05-13, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, § 13.4.5(D), Continuing Education Requirements. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “2.On application for renewal of license, physical therapists shall attest to completion of twenty-four (24) hours biennially in scope of practice-specific offerings that may include, but not be limited to: formal presentations, conferences, coursework from a regionally accredited college/university and/or self-study courses, such as on-line courses, one (1) continuing education hour awarded for each hour completed.”
44. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 216-RICR-40-05-13, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, § 13.4.7, Supervision. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “2.A qualified physical therapist must be accessible by telecommunications to the physical therapist assistant at all times while the physical therapist assistant is treating patients. 3.The physical therapist shall maintain the following written documentation regarding the supervision of a physical therapist assistant: a.Necessary instruction; b.On-site supervision of the physical therapist assistant’s performance; c.Review of the physical therapist assistant’s documentation; d.A reassessment; and, e.Appropriate update of the patient’s program and goals. f.All of the above shall occur when re-evaluation of the patient is indicated but no less than once during a one (1) month period.”
45. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 216-RICR-40-05-13, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, § 13.4.7, Supervision. “C.No physical therapist assistant and/or supportive personnel shall evaluate new patients admitted for physical therapy service and/or establish a physical therapy treatment program based on the physician’s referral or prescription ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
46. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-1, Definitions. “(10) “Supervision” means that a licensed physical therapist is at all times responsible for supportive personnel and students.” Checked October 30, 2026.
47. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40.1-4, Board of occupational therapy practice — Creation — Composition — Appointment and term of members — Meetings — Vacancies. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(a) There is created within the division of professional regulation in the department of health a board of occupational therapy practice. The board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the director of the department of health with the approval of the governor. Three (3) members shall be licensed occupational therapists; one member shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state; and one member shall be a consumer.”
48. Rhode Island Department of Health. Occupational Therapists (Initial Licensing & Renewal Information; page last updated September 25, 2026). “Renewal notices are sent out 60 days before your expiration date.” Checked October 30, 2026.
49. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 216-RICR-40-05-12, Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants, § 12.1, Authority. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the authority conferred under R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40.1-5(a), and are established for the purpose of adopting minimum standards for the licensing of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants offering occupational therapy services in this state.”
50. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40.1-6, Licenses required. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(a) Pursuant to this section, no person may practice occupational therapy, or hold himself or herself out as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, or as being able to practice as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, or as being able to practice occupational therapy, or to render occupational therapy services, in this state unless he or she is licensed under the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations authorized by this chapter.”
51. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40.1-12, Renewal of licenses — Inactive status. “The license, unless sooner suspended or revoked, shall expire on the thirty-first (31st) day of March, of each even year (biennially).” Checked October 30, 2026.
52. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 216-RICR-40-05-12, Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants, § 12.7, Issuance and Renewal of License. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “C.Upon receipt of such renewal application and payment of fee, the Director, upon the recommendation of the Board, shall grant a renewal license effective the thirty-first (31st) day of March for a period of two (2) years, unless sooner suspended or revoked.”
53. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40.1-12, Renewal of licenses — Inactive status. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(3) On application for renewal of license, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants must show proof of participation in twenty (20) hours biennially in presentations, clinical instruction, publications, research, in-service programs, American Occupational Therapy Association-recognized conferences, university courses, and/or self-study courses.”
54. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40.1-21, Supervision. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(c) Subject to the requirements of this section, a licensed occupational therapy assistant may practice limited occupational therapy only under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. Supervision requires at a minimum that the supervising licensed occupational therapist meet in person with the licensed occupational therapy assistant to provide initial direction and periodic on-site supervision. The supervising licensed occupational therapist working with the licensed occupational therapy assistant shall determine the amount and type of supervision necessary in response to the experience and competence of the licensed occupational therapy assistant and the complexity of the treatment program.”
55. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40.1-3, Definitions. “(i) “Occupational therapy assistant” means a person licensed to practice occupational therapy under the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations authorized by this chapter.” Checked October 30, 2026.
56. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-48-2, Board of examiners — Composition — Appointments, terms, and qualifications of members. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(a) There exists within the department of health a board of examiners of speech-language pathology and audiology. The board shall consist of five (5) persons who are residents of the state and who have worked within the state for at least one year prior to their appointments.”
57. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-48-2, Board of examiners — Composition — Appointments, terms, and qualifications of members. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(1) Two (2) members shall be speech-language pathologists who have practiced speech-language pathology for at least five (5) years preceding appointment, are currently practicing speech-language pathology, and hold active and valid licensure for the practice of speech-language pathology in this state. (2) One member shall be an audiologist ... (3) One member shall be an otolaryngologist ... (4) One member shall be a representative of the consumer public who is not associated with or financially interested in the practice or business of speech-language pathology or audiology.”
58. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-48-3, Board of examiners — Duties and powers — Meetings — Compensation of members. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(c) The board shall, with the approval of the director of the department of health, adopt, amend, or repeal rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, regulations that delineate qualifications for licensure and establish standards of professional conduct.”
59. Rhode Island Department of Health. Speech-Language Pathologists/Audiologists (Initial Licensing & Renewal Information; page last updated September 25, 2026). “Renewal notices are sent out 60 days before your expiration date.” Checked October 30, 2026.
60. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-48-6, Licensure and regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(b) No person shall practice as, advertise as, or use the title of speech pathologist or audiologist as defined in § 5-48-1 in this state unless he or she is licensed in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the state.”
61. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-48-9, Fees — Late filing — Inactive status. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(a) The board may charge an application fee; a biennial license renewal fee payable before July 1 of even years (biennially); or a provisional license renewal fee as set forth in § 23-1-54 payable annually from the date of issue. (b) Any person who allows his or her license to lapse by failing to renew it on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of June of even years (biennially), may be reinstated by the board on payment of the current renewal fee plus an additional late filing fee as set forth in § 23-1-54.”
62. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 216-RICR-40-05-33, Speech Pathologists and Audiologists, § 33.6, Issuance and Renewal of License and Fee. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “A.The Department shall issue a license as an audiologist or speech language pathologist, or renewal thereof, for a period of two (2) years. The license, unless sooner suspended or revoked, shall expire on the first day of July, two (2) years following its issuance, and may be renewed biennially (in even years), provided the applicant meets the requirements of this Part and the statutory provisions of the Act.”
63. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-48-9.1, Continuing education. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(a)(1) On or before the thirtieth (30th) day of June of even years, every person licensed to practice speech-language pathology or audiology within this state shall complete not less than twenty (20) clock hours of continuing education within the preceding two (2) years and be able to present satisfactory evidence of completion to the board. ... (b) Continuing education hours may not be carried over from one renewal period to the next.”
64. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-48.2-8, Support personnel. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(b) Scope of practice of speech-language pathology assistants. A licensed speech-language pathology assistant shall only engage in those duties that adhere to the code of ethics of the board and are planned, designed, and supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist, including: ... (6) Performing routine activities for therapy sessions in accordance with a plan developed and directed by the speech-language pathologist who retains the professional responsibility for such client, including: (i) Implementing documented care plans or protocols; (ii) Providing direct therapy services to address treatment goals ...”
65. Rhode Island Department of Health. Speech-Language Pathologists/Audiologists (Important Note for Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant Licensing). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “In accordance with RI Gen. Laws 5-48.2, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) licensees must work under the direction and supervision of a RI licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who has been actively working in the field for twenty-four (24) months after completion of the postgraduate professional experience and who accepts the responsibility for the acts and performances of the SLPA ...”
66. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-48.2-8, Support personnel. “(2) Complete: (i) Twenty-five (25) hours of documented observation of a licensed speech-language pathologist, which may be accomplished within an undergraduate program of study; and (ii) One hundred (100) clinical hours under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist.” Checked October 30, 2026.
67. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 216-RICR-40-05-33, Speech Pathologists and Audiologists, § 33.8, Support Personnel. “(1)A speech/language pathologist supervisor may only supervise one (1) full- time equivalent speech language support personnel and an audiologist supervisor may only supervise three (3) full-time equivalent audiometric aides, unless otherwise approved by the Board ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
68. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40.1-3, Definitions. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(g)(1) “Occupational therapy” (OT) is the use of purposeful activity or interventions designed to achieve functional outcomes that promote health, prevent injury or disability, and develop, improve, sustain, or restore the highest possible level of independence of any individual who has an injury, illness, cognitive impairment, sensory impairment, psychosocial dysfunction, mental illness, developmental or learning disability, physical disability, or other disorder or condition. (2) Occupational therapy includes evaluation by means of skilled observation of functional performance or assessment through the administration and interpretation of standardized or nonstandardized tests and measurements.”
69. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40.1-3, Definitions. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(j)(1) “Occupational therapy services” includes, but is not limited to: (i) Evaluating and providing treatment in consultation with the individual, family, or other appropriate persons; (ii) Interventions directed toward developing, improving, sustaining, or restoring daily living skills, including self-care skills and activities that involve interactions with others and the environment, work readiness or work performance, play skills or leisure capacities, or educational performance skills ...”
70. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-48-1, Purpose and legislative intent — Definitions. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(9)(i) “Practice of speech-language pathology” means rendering or offering to render any service in speech-language pathology including prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, habilitation, rehabilitation; determining the need for augmentative communication systems, dispensing and selling these systems, and providing training in the use of these systems; and planning, directing, conducting, or supervising programs that render or offer to render any service in speech-language pathology.”
71. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Provider Enrollment (page last updated October 22, 2026). Checked October 30, 2026.
72. Medicaid.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services). Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (Medicaid benefit page). Checked October 26, 2026.
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    “The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit provides comprehensive and preventive health care services for children under age 21 who are enrolled in Medicaid.”; “It is the responsibility of states to determine medical necessity on a case-by-case basis.”.
73. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. RI Medicaid Provider Reference Manual, General Guidelines (Version 1.6, February 2026). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “Prior Authorization (PA) is required for specific procedures, services, and equipment as identified by the RI Medicaid Program. The request for Prior Authorization is initiated by the provider. Upon completion of the review, Prior Authorization status is available in the Healthcare Portal. Written notification of denials and incomplete requests are returned to the provider.”
74. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Prior Authorization (page last updated September 10, 2026). “The State will respond to standard prior authorization requests within 7 days of their submission. Expedited or urgent requests will be responded to within 72 hours.” Checked October 30, 2026.
75. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Prior Authorization (page last updated September 10, 2026). “Complete the Prior Authorization Form (below) and fax or mail it to Gainwell Technologies (see address below). Be sure to include supporting documentation for review.” Checked October 30, 2026.
76. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 210-RICR-30-05-2, Medicaid Managed Care Delivery Options, § 2.1, RIte Care Overview. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “Medicaid members participating in RIte Care are enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO). EOHHS contracts with MCOs to provide these health services to members at a capitated rate (fixed cost per enrollee per month). RIte Care managed care plans serve the following MACC coverage groups: children, parent caretakers, foster children (DCYF custody), and pregnant women.”
77. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Medicaid Managed Care Contracts & Policy/Guidance Documents (page last updated October 26, 2026). “Tufts Health Public Plan- Medicaid Managed Care Contract UnitedHealthcare of New England - Medicaid Managed Care Contract Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island- Medicaid Managed Care Contract ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
78. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 210-RICR-30-05-2, Medicaid Managed Care Delivery Options, § 2.1, RIte Care Overview. “Medicaid is provided on a fee-for-service basis for certain beneficiaries in the populations RIte Care plans serve.” Checked October 30, 2026.
79. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Fee Schedules (page last updated February 26, 2026). Checked October 30, 2026.
80. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. RI Medicaid Provider Reference Manual, Occupational Therapy (Version 1.0, November 2025). “Gainwell Technologies must receive a claim for services for Medicaid clients within 365 days of the date of service in order to process claims for adjudication.” Checked October 30, 2026.
81. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. RI Medicaid Provider Reference Manual, Occupational Therapy (Version 1.0, November 2025). “The member’s eligibility must be verified, by the Provider, on each date of service.” Checked October 30, 2026.
82. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. RI Medicaid Provider Reference Manual, Occupational Therapy (Version 1.0, November 2025). “Electronic claims are the preferred method for claim submission. Occupational Therapy services are submitted using HIPPA compliant software and electronic claim type 837 professional.” Checked October 30, 2026.
83. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. RI Medicaid Provider Reference Manual, Occupational Therapy (Version 1.0, November 2025). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “The reimbursement rates for Occupational Therapy rates are listed in the Fee Schedule. Providers cannot, by law, be paid more than the amount allowed in the published fee schedule. Patient Liability The Medicaid Program reimbursement is considered payment in full. The provider is not permitted to seek further payment from the recipient in excess of the Medicaid Program rate.”
84. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. RI Medicaid Provider Reference Manual, Speech Therapy (Version 1.0, November 2025). “To participate in the Medicaid Program, providers must be appropriately licensed, certified to participate in the Medicare program, and located and performing services in Rhode Island or in a border community.” Checked October 30, 2026.
85. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 210-RICR-20-00-1, Medicaid Payments and Providers, § 1.6, Provider Eligibility – Enrollment and Screening Requirements. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “1.Unless an exception applies as specified herein, each provider furnishing items or services to Medicaid beneficiaries, or ordering, prescribing, or referring (OPR) for those items or services, must enroll with EOHHS under the appropriate provider type as a condition of Medicaid payment for such items or services ...”
86. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Local Education Agency (page last updated April 28, 2026). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “The Executive Office of Health and Human Services developed the RI School-Based Medicaid Direct Services Guidebook to assist schools and districts in Rhode Island to bill Medicaid for reimbursement of Medicaid-eligible services provided to Medicaid enrolled students by or for Local Education Agencies (LEAs)”
87. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Telemedicine Billing Guidance (July 2025, effective September 1, 2025). “Services must be medically necessary and clinically appropriate, as determined by the rendering provider, to be provided through telemedicine.” Checked October 30, 2026.
88. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Telemedicine Billing Guidance (July 2025, effective September 1, 2025), Audio-Only Telehealth Services. “... when services require visual or physical assessment such as physical therapy ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
89. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-81-3, Definitions (Telemedicine Coverage Act). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    ““Telemedicine” means the delivery of clinical healthcare services by use of real time, two-way synchronous audio, video, telephone-audio-only communications or electronic media or other telecommunications technology including, but not limited to: online adaptive interviews, remote patient monitoring devices, audiovisual communications, including the application of secure video conferencing or store-and-forward technology to provide or support healthcare delivery, which facilitate assessment, diagnosis, counseling and prescribing treatment, and care management of a patient’s health care while such patient is at an originating site and the healthcare provider is at a distant site, consistent with applicable ...”
90. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-81-3, Definitions (Telemedicine Coverage Act). ““Healthcare professional” means a physician or other healthcare practitioner licensed, accredited, or certified to perform specified healthcare services consistent with state law.” Checked October 30, 2026.
91. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-81-3, Definitions (Telemedicine Coverage Act). Checked October 30, 2026.
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    ““Health insurer” means any person, firm, or corporation offering and/or insuring healthcare services on a prepaid basis, including, but not limited to, a nonprofit service corporation, a health maintenance organization, the Rhode Island Medicaid program, including its contracted managed care entities, or an entity offering a policy of accident and sickness insurance.”
92. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Telemedicine Billing Guidance (July 2025, effective September 1, 2025), Informed Consent for Telehealth Services. “... consent to receive telehealth services in lieu of in-person healthcare services, consistent with all applicable state laws ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
93. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Telemedicine Billing Guidance (July 2025, effective September 1, 2025), Patient Rights. “... may refuse or withdraw consent for telehealth services at any ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
94. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-81-4, Coverage of telemedicine services. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(b)(1) A health insurer shall not exclude a healthcare service for coverage solely because the healthcare service is provided through telemedicine and is not provided through in-person consultation or contact, so long as such healthcare services are medically necessary and clinically appropriate to be provided through telemedicine services. (2) All medically necessary and clinically appropriate telemedicine services delivered by in-network primary care providers, registered dietitian nutritionists, and behavioral health providers shall be reimbursed at rates not lower than services delivered by the same provider through in-person methods. (c) Benefit plans offered by a health insurer shall not impose a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance requirement for a healthcare service delivered through telemedicine in excess of what would normally be charged for the same healthcare service when performed in person.”
95. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-81-4, Coverage of telemedicine services. “(d) Prior authorization requirements for medically necessary and clinically appropriate telemedicine services shall not be more stringent than prior authorization requirements for in-person care.” Checked October 30, 2026.
96. Rhode Island Division of Taxation. Register your Business Online. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “The Division of Taxation allows for online registration for a new business. This fully interactive service allows you to register your business and pay associated registration fees with your credit card. This application may be used to register your business for the following: Permit to make sales at retail Income tax withholding account (including withholding for pensions or trusts)”
97. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-18-7.3, Services defined. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(a) “Services” means all activities engaged in for other persons for a fee, retainer, commission, or other monetary charge, which activities involve the performance of a service in this state as distinguished from selling property. (b) The following businesses and services performed in this state, along with the applicable 2017 North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes, are included in the definition of services: (1) Taxicab and limousine services ... (2) Other road transportation service ... (3) Pet care services (812910) except veterinary and testing laboratories services. ... (5) Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (561611, 561612 & 561613). (6) “Parking services” (812930)”
98. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-18-7, Sales defined. “(19) The furnishing of services in this state as defined in § 44-18-7.3.” Checked October 30, 2026.
99. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-18-30, Gross receipts exempt from sales and use taxes. Checked October 30, 2026.
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    “(11) Prosthetic devices and mobility enhancing equipment. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state, of prosthetic devices as defined in § 44-18-7.1(t), sold on prescription, including, but not limited to: artificial limbs, dentures, spectacles, eyeglasses, and artificial eyes; artificial hearing devices and hearing aids, whether or not sold on prescription; and mobility enhancing equipment as defined in § 44-18-7.1(p), including wheelchairs, crutches, and canes.”
100. Rhode Island Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations). 280-RICR-20-70-38, Professional Services, § 38.5, Medical Equipment, Mobility Enhancing Equipment and Prosthetic Devices, Blood and Oxygen. Checked October 30, 2026.
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     “2.The tax does not apply to the sale or rental of durable medical equipment for home use only including syringe infusers, ambulatory drug delivery pumps, hospital beds, convalescent chairs, bath and shower chairs, commode chairs, and chair lifts.”
101. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-29-6, Employers subject to law. Checked October 30, 2026.
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     “Every person, firm, and private corporation, including any public service corporation, including the state, that regularly employs employees in the same business or in or about the same establishment under any contract of hire, express or implied, and a city or town in this state that votes to accept the provisions of those chapters in the manner provided shall constitute an employer subject to the provisions of chapters 29 — 38 of this title.”
102. Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. Workers’ Compensation: For Employers (Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements). “Rhode Island law requires employers with one or more employees to provide workers’ compensation insurance.” Checked October 30, 2026.
103. Code of Federal Regulations. 42 CFR 424.516, Additional provider and supplier requirements for enrolling and maintaining active enrollment status in the Medicare program (eCFR, up to date as of October 22, 2026; paragraph (f), Maintaining and providing access to documentation). Checked October 26, 2026.
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     “A provider or a supplier that furnishes covered ordered, certified, referred, or prescribed Part A or B services, items or drugs is required to—”; “Maintain documentation (as described in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section) for 7 years from the date of service; and”; “Upon the request of CMS or a Medicare contractor, to provide access to that documentation”; “The documentation includes written and electronic documents (including the NPI of the physician or, when permitted, other eligible professional who ordered, certified, referred, or prescribed the Part A or B service, item, or drug) relating to written orders, certifications, referrals, prescriptions, and requests for payments for Part A or B services, items or drugs.”.
104. Code of Federal Regulations. 45 CFR 164.316, Policies and procedures and documentation requirements (eCFR, up to date as of October 22, 2026; HIPAA Security Rule; paragraph (b)). Checked October 26, 2026.
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     “Maintain the policies and procedures implemented to comply with this subpart in written (which may be electronic) form; and”; “If an action, activity or assessment is required by this subpart to be documented, maintain a written (which may be electronic) record of the action, activity, or assessment.”; “Retain the documentation required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section for 6 years from the date of its creation or the date when it last was in effect, whichever is later.”.
105. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37.3-4, Limitations on and permitted disclosures. Checked October 30, 2026.
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     “(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), or as specifically provided by the law, a patient’s confidential healthcare information shall not be released or transferred without the written consent of the patient, or his or her authorized representative, on a consent form meeting the requirements of subsection (d).”
106. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37.3-4, Limitations on and permitted disclosures. “(2) Any person who violates the provisions of this section may be liable for actual and punitive damages.” Checked October 30, 2026.
107. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-49.3-4, Notification of breach. Checked October 30, 2026.
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     “(a)(1) Any municipal agency, state agency, or person who or that stores, owns, collects, processes, maintains, acquires, uses, or licenses data that includes personal information shall provide notification as set forth in this section of any disclosure of personal information, or any breach of the security of the system, that poses a significant risk of identity theft to any resident of Rhode Island whose personal information was, or is reasonably believed to have been, acquired by an unauthorized person or entity. ... (ii) For persons subject to subsection (a)(1), which is not a state or municipal agency, no later than forty-five (45) calendar days after confirmation of the breach and the ability to ascertain the information required to fulfill the notice requirements contained in subsection (d), and shall be consistent with the legitimate needs of law enforcement as provided in subsection (b). In the event that more than five hundred (500) Rhode Island residents are to be notified, the person shall notify the attorney general and the major credit reporting agencies as to the timing, content, and distribution of the notices and the approximate number of affected individuals.”
108. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-3, Duty to report — Deprivation of nutrition or medical treatment. Checked October 30, 2026.
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     “(a) Any person who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that any child has been abused or neglected as defined in § 40-11-2, or has been a victim of sexual abuse by another child, shall, within twenty-four (24) hours, transfer that information to the department of children, youth and families, or its agent, which shall cause the report to be investigated immediately.”
109. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-66-8, Abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect of elderly persons — Duty to report. Checked October 30, 2026.
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     “(b) Any physician, physician assistant, medical intern, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse’s aide, orderly, certified nursing assistant, medical examiner, dentist, optometrist, optician, chiropractor, podiatrist, coroner, police officer, probation officer, emergency medical technician, firefighter, speech pathologist, audiologist, social worker, pharmacist, physical or occupational therapist, or health officer, who has reasonable cause to believe that any person sixty (60) years of age or older has been abused, neglected, or exploited, or is self-neglecting, shall make an immediate report to the director of the office of healthy aging, or the director’s designee.”
110. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-20.11-1, Mandatory coverage for autism spectrum disorders. Checked October 30, 2026.
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     “(a) Every group health insurance contract, or every group hospital or medical expense insurance policy, plan, or group policy delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state, by any health insurance carrier, on or after January 1, 2012, shall provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders; provided, however, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to contracts, plans or group policies subject to the Small Employer Health Insurance Availability Act, chapter 50 of this title, Medical Assistance, chapter 8 of title 40, or subject to the Individual Health Insurance Coverage Act, chapter 18.5 of this title.”
111. Rhode Island General Assembly (General Laws of Rhode Island). R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-20.11-3, Scope of coverage. Checked October 30, 2026.
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     “(a) Benefits under this section shall include coverage for pharmaceuticals, applied behavior analysis, physical therapy, speech therapy, psychology, psychiatric and occupational therapy services for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the DSM. Provided, however: (1) Coverage for physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy and psychology, psychiatry, and pharmaceutical services shall be, to the extent such services are a covered benefit for other diseases and conditions under such policy; and (2) Applied behavior analysis. (b) Benefits under this section shall continue until the covered individual reaches age fifteen (15).”
112. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Who are the MACs: A/B MAC Jurisdiction K (JK) (page last modified July 8, 2026). “Contract Awardee: National Government Services, Inc., contract number 75FCMC22C0003 ... JK processes FFS Medicare Part A and Part B claims for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont ...” Checked October 30, 2026.
113. Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. Workers’ Compensation: Medical Fees & Hospital Rates (page last updated June 26, 2026). Checked October 30, 2026.
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     “The Director of the Department of Labor and Training establishes a medical fee schedule of rules and rates of reimbursement for workers’ compensation medical services. Hospital services are subject to the Hospital Rates instead of the medical fee schedule.”
114. Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. Workers’ Compensation: Medical Fees & Hospital Rates (page last updated June 26, 2026). “View or order a copy (printed or electronic) of the RI Medical Fee schedule online at Rising Medical Solutions, Inc.” Checked October 30, 2026.
115. APTA Rhode Island. APTA Rhode Island (the state association's site). Checked October 30, 2026.
116. the Rhode Island Occupational Therapy Association (RIOTA). the Rhode Island Occupational Therapy Association (RIOTA) (the state association's site). Checked October 30, 2026.
117. DrSensory. Occupational therapy clinics in Rhode Island, with the physical therapy and speech therapy pages for the state (the directory's state pages, built from the addresses it holds). Checked October 30, 2026.
118. DrSensory. Clinic Directory Pricing. “Claiming your listing is free. The subscription is $349.99 a year or $29.99 a month for your first location, and $99.99 a year or $9.99 a month for each additional location, not per therapist.” Checked October 30, 2026.

Medical disclaimer. This page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is general guidance on running a therapy clinic in Rhode Island, not legal, compliance, billing or financial advice. Rules change; the clinic confirms each with its source before acting on it.