The state Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has asked the Physical Therapy Board of California to halt its planned enforcement of a proposed new regulation that would prohibit physical therapists from working directly for a medical, podiatric or chiropractic corporation.

DCA said it would do its own legal analysis of the regulation within 30 days and that the board should wait for that before pursuing the regulation any further.

The action came after the California Medical Association (CMA) met with DCA to convey its concerns about the regulation and conflicting legal opinions.

In addition, CMA has organized a coalition of affected parties, including specialists, medical groups and podiatrists, to advocate for a legislative fix that would permanently end the ambiguity surrounding the issue.