Frequently Asked Questions about Physical Therapy
When should I call a Physical Therapist?
- Headache, neck, and back pain
- Joint pain (shoulder, knee, hip, foot, or ankle)
- Any injury due to a fall or trauma
- Poor posture
- Jaw pain/TMJ
- Pre- and post-pregnancy issues
- Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Premature aging and decreased muscle tone
- Decreased ability to walk/general decreased mobility
- Poor balance
- Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia
- Pain/decreased mobility/ decreased strength due to obesity
- Fatigue/poor endurance due to pulmonary dysfunction
- Poor endurance due to cancer and related treatments
Who needs Physical Therapy?
The public requires the services of physical therapists throughout the life spectrum. Statistically speaking, everyone will need physical therapy at some point in their lifetime. We are all guilty of taking our musculoskeletal health for granted. It is not until we experience injury or disease that affects our ability to move pain free that we begin to appreciate physical health. As health-care providers and experts on musculoskeletal health, we encourage everyone to make a commitment to long-term physical health. Maintaining physical health is not a passive endeavor, but rather an active lifelong commitment. The role your physical therapist plays as your medical provider depends upon your physical needs. As the health-care experts on musculoskeletal health, Physical Therapists remain your best choice for prevention, management, and rehabilitation of your musculoskeletal system.
How do I find a good Physical Therapist?
Recommendations from family, friends, colleagues, and other health-care providers you trust is the best way to find a good Physical Therapist. We recommend that once you establish a trusting relationship, you continue to view that Physical Therapist as a permanent member of your ongoing health-care team. Good physical health doesn’t happen by accident, and having an expert as part of your health-care team can make all the difference.
It is important to know that Physical Therapists are licensed by the state and require continuing education annually. Much like medical doctors, Physical Therapists graduate from school with extensive training in rehabilitation and tend to specialize once in practice.
Consumers are advised to ask questions of their therapist to ensure your physical needs are met. Common questions may include the following:
- What is your treatment philosophy?
- What are your areas of expertise?
- What experience do you have in my specific condition?
Open communication is important with all medical providers, and you should feel comfortable having these conversations with your therapist.
Direct Access to Physical Therapy?
State laws provide direct access to licensed Physical Therapists without a physician’s referral or prescription. That means that as a consumer of healthcare, you can seek medical treatment for your musculoskeletal issues directly from the Physical Therapist of your choosing. This places physical therapy as a first-line provider for your musculoskeletal health.
What does Direct Access mean for you?
- Immediate evaluation, diagnosis and treatment from your Physical Therapist for your musculoskeletal injuries without the delay in visiting another health-care professional
- Immediate consultation with your Physical Therapist to determine if therapy is needed or if further examination by another health-care practitioner is warranted
- Strong potential for decreased healing time for your injury due to receiving treatment without delay
- Freedom to choose a Physical Therapist as you would an MD, DO, Chiropractor, Dentist or other health-care professional
- Continuity of care as you return to your Physical Therapist for all of your musculoskeletal needs, including relief from injury as well as prevention and overall wellness
How do I schedule an appointment and utilize insurance benefits?
Physical therapy is a covered benefit under insurance plans. As licensed medical providers, Physical Therapists can be accessed for musculoskeletal issues directly, without a referral or recommendation from your medical doctor. Insurance coverage for your physical therapy benefits is plan-specific. Most insurance companies do not require a referral from your physician, but some do.
Presently, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, Auto Claims and other third-party payers will pay for physical therapy services rendered under direct access, however the benefit is plan specific. Medicare is not paying for Direct Access Physical Therapy at this time, however Physical Therapists can perform an evaluation under direct access and as long as a physician signs off on a treatment plan we are able to bill Medicare.
We are happy to verify your physical therapy benefits for you prior to scheduling your first visit. Simply contact one of our clinics and we will outline your physical therapy benefits so you can make an informed decision. You will receive information on referral requirements, coinsurance, co-pay, and your total annual benefit. We do offer cash rates for your convenience and for services rendered outside insurance plan coverage which can be very cost effective.
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