PTPN Celebrates 40 Years of Building a Brighter Future for the Nation’s Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists

America’s First Specialty Network Helps Private Practitioners Adapt and Thrive

(Calabasas, Calif. – May 15, 2025) – In 1985, “Back to the Future” topped the box office, “Dallas” was the most-watched TV show, and a dozen eggs cost 83 cents. That same year, the nation’s first specialty healthcare provider network, PTPN, was born.

Forty years later, PTPN continues to be the industry leader in supporting physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and speech language pathology (SLP) professionals in private practice.

The first-of-its-kind network was created to help private practitioners survive and thrive amid the rise in the 1980s of powerful new healthcare entities like HMOs, PPOs, and corporate therapy competitors, which were threatening the viability of the independent practice.

And four decades on, with the average cost of eggs nearing $5 per dozen and “A Minecraft Movie” leading the box office race, PTPN has grown from just over 100 member locations in California to more than 800 locations in 14 states across the country.

“While PTPN’s core mission of supporting private practice hasn’t changed over these 40 years, the ways we help practices succeed have evolved continually and proactively to stay a step ahead of the rapidly changing healthcare landscape,” said PTPN CEO Stevyn Voyles, a physical therapy executive for more than 35 years. “That’s been key to PTPN’s longevity: adapting to and capitalizing on the ways the industry has changed over the years, always focused on innovation.”

Alongside network innovations, some of the elements that have remained consistent over the decades are the network services that private practitioners most value, including:

• securing in-network status with dozens of health plans and other payers via one-stop provider credentialing for PTPN providers;
• earning exclusive reimbursement increases from many of those payer partners over time;
• troubleshooting claims and payment issues that may arise for member practices.

“PTPN expedites the credentialing process and provides access to insurances that I was told had a closed panel,” said Billy Beaudreau, PT, DPT, MTC, OCS, FAAOMPT, owner of Comprehensive Physical Therapy in Mandeville and Metarie, La., a PTPN member since 2021. “This has brought a significant increase in revenue due to our ability to help patients that otherwise would have sought out other options.”

Liz Souza, DPT, CHT, a PTPN member for 34 years, agreed that PTPN helps practices navigate the complexities of reimbursement. “The insurance companies are always one step ahead of all of us in the denial game, but PTPN has been very helpful in navigating the everchanging rules of engagement,” said Souza, owner of Gary M. Souza PT & Associates in Diamond Bar, Calif.

Other benefits often cited by PTPN members include negotiated discounts on a wide range of products and services used by therapy practices; support for day-to-day practice operations like billing and staffing; and vocal advocacy for the profession, influencing legislators and policymakers to secure better conditions for therapy providers across the country.

Also valued by members is PTPN’s longstanding leadership role in keeping therapists informed about industry changes, best practices and new technologies. “I am glad to be part of PTPN,” said Nimoli Malhotra, DPT, owner of South City Physical Therapy in South San Francisco, Calif., a member of PTPN since 1990. “The regular guidance and updates on current changes, most importantly Medicare, have been very helpful. PTPN is an asset to our community.”

These Day One competencies have been continually enhanced and refined over the years, leading providers through evolving market forces. Innovations include launching the PTPN Outcomes Program in 2007 to help therapists master and benefit from value-based care; becoming a member of the Confluent Health family, a nationwide network of musculoskeletal health companies, in 2020 to enhance PTPN’s ability to innovate and to strengthen the network’s infrastructure and resources; and, most recently, partnering with carefully vetted AI companies this year to help providers take advantage of emerging technologies.

When asked about the secret to PTPN’s success, Voyles emphasized that it’s the organization’s small but dedicated staff that deserves the credit. “I’ve never seen the kind of commitment and loyalty that our staff shows to our members day in and day out,” she said. “With an average tenure of 16 years, they’re the secret sauce to helping our members thrive.”

Longtime PTPN member Simon Gibson, PT, agreed. “PTPN is staffed with people who are smart, solution oriented, informed, and care about providers,” he said. Gibson is the CEO and founder of Montclair Physical Therapy in Oakland, Calif., a PTPN member practice since 1994.

The key challenges the network has in its sights for the coming years include helping providers and payers use outcomes measurement tools effectively and efficiently, promoting mastery among private practitioners in technological advancements like AI, and pushing regulators and lawmakers to make meaningful improvements to Medicare reimbursement.

“Looking ahead, PTPN is focused on creating even more opportunities for growth, innovation, and success,” Voyles said. “Our commitment to supporting and advocating for our members is stronger than ever, as is our drive to enhancing payers’ and patients’ access to the best therapy providers delivering the top therapy outcomes in their communities.”

About PTPN

PTPN is the nation’s premier specialty network of rehabilitation therapists in private practice. It has led the rehabilitation industry in pioneering contracting, quality assurance and outcomes measurement programs since 1985. PTPN’s network includes thousands of therapists and is contracted with hundreds of managed care organizations covering millions of Americans. PTPN is a member of the Confluent Health family of musculoskeletal companies. For more information on PTPN, contact Stephen Moore at 818-737-0246 or [email protected], or visit ptpn.com.

About Confluent Health

Confluent Health, a nationwide network of physical and occupational therapy companies, is at the forefront of advancing musculoskeletal solutions that make us all stronger. We deliver better patient outcomes, reduce costs of care, improve workplace wellness, provide best-in-class education services, help prevent injuries and play a crucial role in shaping industry best practices. For more information, visit confluenthealth.com or find us on LinkedIn at @ConfluentHealth.