Frequently Asked Questions

During your first visit you can expect the following:

• Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed.
• You will provide us with your referral for physical therapy if you have one. If you don't have a referral, let us know when you schedule your first visit with us. A referral is not always needed.
• We will copy your insurance card.
• You will be seen for the initial evaluation by the therapist.

The therapist will discuss the following:

1. Your medical history.
2. Your current problems or complaints.
3. Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem.
4. How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations.
5. Your goals with physical therapy.
6. Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health.

The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation which may include some of the following:

1. Palpation - touching around the area of the pain or problem to check tenderness, swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, and inflammation.
2. Range of Motion (ROM) - moving the joint or joints to check for quality of movement and restrictions.
3. Muscle Testing - checking strength and quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted.
4. Neurological Screening - checking how the nerves communicate with the muscles and how you sense touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may also be assessed.
5. Special Tests - used to confirm or rule out the presence of additional problems.
6. Posture Assessment - assessing the positions of joints relative to ideal posture and to each other.

The therapist will then formulate a list of problems you are having and how to treat those problems. A plan is subsequently developed with the patient's input. This includes how many times you should see the therapist per week, how many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short-term and long-term goals, and what is expected after discharge from therapy. This plan is created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor.

Bring your physical therapy referral if one was provided by your doctor and your payment information. If insurance is covering the cost of therapy, bring your insurance card. If you are covered by Workers' Compensation, bring your claim number and your case manager's contact information. If you are covered by auto insurance or an attorney lien, bring that information as well.

Wear loose-fitting clothing that allows the therapist to expose the area being evaluated and treated. For example, wear shorts for a knee problem, a tank top for a shoulder problem, and loose-fitting clothing for low back problems.

Treatment sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes per visit.

This varies by diagnosis, severity of impairments, and medical history. Some patients need one visit while others may need months of care. Re-evaluations are typically done monthly, and progress reports are provided to your doctor with recommendations.

Physical therapists are experts at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder, and physical therapists can help correct the disorder and relieve the pain.

Physical therapists help patients reduce pain, improve movement, regain function, and prevent future injury. They treat orthopedic, neurological, sports, and post-surgical conditions and also provide education, therapeutic exercise, functional training, hands-on care, and other interventions such as joint mobilization, heat, ice, and ultrasound when appropriate.

Physical therapists also work in prevention, ergonomics, sports performance, fitness, and wellness. Insurance covers most forms of treatment, but coverage varies by plan. All 50 states offer some form of direct access to physical therapy.

Reference: APTA

Doctors often refer patients to physical therapy because of pain and movement dysfunction that limit daily activities. Physical therapists treat these movement problems, reduce pain, and help restore normal function.

Studies have indicated that physician-owned clinics may involve more visits and higher costs. We believe private practice physical therapy offers high-quality, cost-effective care with greater continuity, including close work with the same physical therapist throughout much of your care.

1. Mitchell, J., Scott, E., Physician Ownership of Physical Therapy Services
2. "Joint Ventures Among Health Care Providers in Florida," State of Florida Health Care Cost Containment Board, 1991.
3. Domholdt E, Durchholz AG. Direct access use by experienced therapists in states with direct access.
4. Federal Office of the Inspector General May 1, 2006 - report on billing processes in non-physical therapist owned practices.

In most cases, health insurance covers treatment. Review the insurance information on our website and speak with our receptionist for help clarifying your coverage.

You will be evaluated by one of our licensed and highly trained physical therapists, and that therapist will also treat you during subsequent visits whenever possible. Continuity of care is important, so we focus on building a one-on-one relationship throughout your treatment.

Yes. Physical therapists may specialize in areas such as orthopedic physical therapy, manual therapy, geriatric physical therapy, sports rehabilitation, fitness and wellness, hand therapy, women's health, industrial rehabilitation, pediatric physical therapy, aquatic physical therapy, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, balance and vertigo rehabilitation, amputee rehabilitation, wound care, electrophysiologic testing, lymphedema rehabilitation, and osteoporosis rehabilitation and prevention.

One of the primary goals of physical therapy is pain relief. This may be achieved through hands-on treatment, exercise, heat, cold, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation. Some techniques can be uncomfortable, especially when restoring motion after surgery or injury, so it is important to communicate the intensity, frequency, and duration of your pain to your therapist.

Treatment may include active range of motion, active assistive range of motion, stationary bicycle, gait training, isometrics, isotonic exercises, soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, posture training, progressive resistive exercises, passive range of motion, stretching and flexibility exercises, cryotherapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, neck traction, heat, iontophoresis, pelvic traction, TENS, ultrasound, and whirlpool.

Massage may be part of your treatment. Rehabilitation specialists use various techniques to reduce swelling, relax tight muscles, and relieve pain as part of the rehabilitative process.

Flare-ups are not uncommon. If your symptoms return, call us. We may recommend that you return to therapy, follow up with your doctor, or modify your daily activities or exercise routine.

In most cases, you have the right to choose any physical therapy clinic. Our practice participates with many insurance plans. Contact us and we will help answer your questions.

All fifty states have some form of direct access. In many cases, if you are not making significant improvement within 30 days, the therapist will refer you to or back to your physician. Seeing a physical therapist first is safe and may reduce healthcare costs.

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In most states, physical therapists cannot make a medical diagnosis. That diagnosis is typically provided by your physician. Physical therapists remain an important part of your healthcare team and help manage movement-related problems.

Billing for physical therapy is similar to billing at a doctor's office. Typically:

1. The physical therapist bills your insurance company, Workers' Comp, or charges you using CPT codes.
2. Those codes are transferred to a billing form and mailed or electronically sent to the payer.
3. The payer processes the claim and makes payments according to the applicable fee schedule.
4. An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is generated and sent to the patient and clinic along with payment details and any balance due.
5. The patient is expected to pay any remaining balance.

Many steps can affect timing, and delays are possible if information is missing or misunderstood. While payment is often completed within 60 days, it can sometimes take much longer.

Some patients continue with home exercises, some move to a gym program, and others return directly to normal activities. Communicating your goals helps your therapist develop the right post-treatment plan for you.

Yes. Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are licensed by their respective states.

Consider the following:

• The therapist should be licensed in the state.
• The first visit should include a thorough medical history and physical examination before treatment is rendered.
• Patient goals should be discussed in detail during the first visit.
• Care should include a variety of techniques such as hands-on care, soft tissue work, therapeutic exercise, and when appropriate, heat, cold, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound.
• The clinic should be able to address your specific problem.
• The clinic should accept your insurance or be willing to work with you.
• The location should be convenient.
• Review the clinic's hours of operation.
• Ask whether they can provide satisfaction survey results.
• The therapist should provide the treatment.
• Ask whether you can briefly interview the therapist before the first visit.
• Ask family and friends for recommendations.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services, including related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• Make sure your healthcare provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item.
• You can also ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
• Save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call our number on the website.