Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to bring with me for the first visit?
Make sure you bring your physical therapy referral (Note-a referral is not always needed), and your payment information. If your insurance is covering the cost of physical therapy, bring your insurance card. If you are covered by Worker’s Compensation, bring your claim number and your case manager’s contact information. If you are covered by auto insurance or an attorney lein, make sure you bring this information. A computerized questionnaire regarding your past medical history will need to be completed. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time, so that all necessary paperwork can be completed before your scheduled appointment. Additionally, please provide a list of medications.
How should I dress?
You should wear loose-fitting clothes so you can expose the area that we will be evaluating and treating. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts or bring them with you to the appointment. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice, and for low back problems, where a loose-fitting shirt and pants, again, so we can perform a thorough examination
How long would treatment last?
The initial evaluation, which will be your first visit, typically will last between 45-60 minutes. Each additional visit may be approximately 60 minutes depending on the areas to be treated.
How many visits will I need?
This answer is highly a variable. You may need 1 visit or months of care. It depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairments, your past medical history, etc. You will be re-evaluated on a monthly basis, and when you see your doctor, we will provide you with a progress report with our recommendations.
Can I go directly to a physical therapist without a physician referral?
Yes. The state of Pennsylvania allows licensed physical therapists to see patients up to 30 days without a physician referral. In the event further treatment is needed, we will reach out to your physician or treating healthcare provider to obtain a referral and access further treatment.
Does my insurance cover physical therapy?
As part of our patient services, we will reach out to your insurance company prior to your first appointment to determine your physical therapy coverage. We share this information with you, but we can not guarantee its accuracy, so we encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly or refer to your benefits hand book to confirm any limitations or out of pocket costs.
Will I see the same physical therapist on each visit?
Yes. One of the unique features of our clinic is that you will be seen by your physical therapist at every appointment and work with the same clinician during each treatment session. We believe you will progress more quickly working with the same clinician, focusing on your individual issues and we will be able to adjust your treatment plan with each sessions, if needed.
What happens if I need to cancel or change an appointment?
To be respectful of patients waiting for appointments, we ask that if you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment, that you give us 24 hours notice, so that the appointment time can be made available to another patient. Patients who do not cancel appointments within a 24 notice are subject to out cancellation fee. If you do not show for a scheduled appointment, you risk cancellation of future appointments as well as a cancellation fee.
Our goals are to see each patient improve in the least number of treatment sessions and to make our services available to patients who need to be seen. To get well, you need to attend your scheduled appointments.