Purpose, Planning, and Payments - Top Takeaways from the APTA PPS Conference

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)'s Private Practice Section (PPS) conference this past weekend in DC brought together industry leaders, practitioners, and innovators, with a focus on shaping the future of the physical therapy profession. Here are some of our takeaways from the event:

1. Finding Purpose and Paying It Forward

Ben Nemtin, #1 New York Times bestselling author and mental health advocate, delivered the keynote speech, which resonated deeply with attendees. He emphasized the importance of finding your purpose not just for personal fulfillment but also to create a ripple effect of positive impact. 

In a profession centered on helping others, Nemtin’s call to "pay it forward" aligns with the values of physical therapists, encouraging them to see beyond their daily routines and embrace their potential to contribute to the greater good in their communities. His message serves as a reminder that driving change in healthcare doesn’t just come solely from technological advancements or new treatments but from individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others.

2. Modernizing for the Digital Age  

A recurring theme among speakers and attendees was sharing “how-to” when it comes to successfully transitioning practices into the digital age. As telehealth, digital tools, and remote therapeutic monitoring grow in importance, physical therapists are grappling with how to integrate these advancements while maintaining the high level of personal care their patients expect. The key lies in adopting digital platforms that enhance, rather than replace, the patient-provider relationship. Matt Byrne, a physical therapist and attendee of the event noted his experience with the event and up and coming technologies, “A consistent through line at the APTA PPS Conference was the importance of analysis of clinical outcomes and the willingness to change practice based on the data.  FIGUR8 is in a unique position to help lead organizations and its clinicians through a change in approach to how they treat through the objective data and reporting derived from FIGUR8's bioMiotion Assessment Platform (bMAP).  The support and growth of our existing Provider Partners, as well as the growing interest from other industry leaders continues to show the value that we can create together moving forward.”

Whether it’s using data analytics to personalize treatment plans or leveraging remote monitoring tools to track progress, the goal is to modernize without losing the human touch. The challenge is not just technical but cultural—convincing both practitioners and patients to embrace new ways of interacting and delivering care.

3. The Value Mismatch in Payment for Services

One of the biggest challenges facing the physical therapy profession is the mismatch between the payment for services and the value those services provide. As healthcare continues to shift toward value-based care, physical therapists and their professional association, the APTA, continue to advocate for payments that match the full impact of their work on patient outcomes. Speakers and attendees at the PPS conference voiced concerns that many reimbursement models, particularly those that are Fee-For-Service, often fail to account for the long-term benefits of physical therapy, such as reduced need for surgeries or medications. Bridging this gap will require a concerted effort from the entire profession, advocating for payment systems that recognize the preventative and restorative value of physical therapy, and better communicating these outcomes to payers.

Overall, the APTA PPS conference highlighted the need for purpose-driven work, digital modernization, and systemic changes to payment structures, all of which will shape the future of physical therapy.

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