Should OTs Become Registered Providers?

A Personable Take by Way Forward for OT Training

Have you heard the latest buzz about becoming a Registered Provider in the new Support at Home program? If you’re an independent OT or allied health professional, you might have felt some excitement—then confusion—about what it really entails. The recent manual updates and department responses make it clear that holding “Registered Provider” status isn’t as simple as we’d hoped.

Here’s the scoop

If you become a Registered Provider, you’ll be responsible for more than just your usual services. You’d also handle care planning, budgeting, and every other support a client needs—even those outside your own specialty—by sub-contracting personal care, domestic services, or care management etc. Add strict compliance obligations and potential civil penalties on top of that, plus the somewhat daunting job of collecting participant contributions (essentially chasing up unpaid bills), and you’ve got a hefty load to juggle.

That said, it’s not all doom and gloom. One major upside to going “official” as a Registered Provider is full control over your client relationships. You get to set care standards, manage how services come together, and build your reputation as a truly comprehensive provider. If growing your practice and taking the reins of a client’s entire care journey is your dream, the Registered Provider route could be the right move.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to weighing what’s best for your practice.

Are you content focusing on your specialty and letting someone else handle the administrative heavy lifting? Or do you see yourself thriving as a full-service provider with a bigger stake in the care puzzle? Whichever path you choose, take heart: this update is a chance to reflect on your long-term goals, shape your professional vision, and plan the Way Forward for your practice -OT or otherwise.