Did You Know You Can See a Physical Therapist Without a Referral
It may surprise you to learn that you can go directly to your physical therapist when dealing with pain or an injury. It doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with an old or new problem. In all 50 states, you can schedule a visit with one of our therapists to get help sooner than later.
In the medical community, Direct Access is the ability to see a physical therapist when you want to without getting permission from your physician or medical practitioner.
Physical therapists routinely assess and treat patients without a physician’s recommendation. You can contact us directly at Movement Specialists Physical Therapy in Metairie or Mandeville, LA, and we’ll schedule your appointment today!
Direct Access eliminates wasting your time for the appointment to see a doctor, then the delays in getting a referral to physical therapy and waiting for an appointment to see the therapist.
Another benefit of going directly to our physical therapists is the cost savings. Beyond the cost of copayments to see your physician or being sent to a specialist paying another copay, and finally getting sent to physical therapy, you can save money and see our team directly.
Direct Access is all about having the freedom to make your own decisions without being bound by outdated rules. It allows you to be in charge of your healthcare so you can focus on your recovery instead of waiting for another appointment to get you the help you need today!
If you have questions about Direct Access or would like to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, contact Movement Specialists Physical Therapy in Metairie or Mandeville, LA now!
Misunderstandings About Direct Access
Although the term “direct access” has been around for decades, not everyone outside the physical therapy profession knows about it or what it actually means. The good news is that the old-fashioned healthcare model is being updated to provide patients better access to physical therapy services.
There is a lot of evidence that early or Direct Access to physical therapy reduces waiting time, lowers costs, improves convenience for the patient and health care system, and, most importantly, improves recovery time.
Scheduling directly with a physical therapist is important in all areas of physical therapy, including outpatient physical therapy, pediatrics, private home care, school districts, hospitals, and even the sports fields. Direct Access is much more common than the general public and other medical practitioners realize.
For a long time, only a handful of states had laws allowing patients to go directly to their physical therapist; now, Direct Access is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. While the program continues to have some limitations, Direct Access laid the foundation for revising regulations and ensuring that you receive the care you need when you want it.
Contact Movement Specialists Physical Therapy today to learn more about how to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists!
How direct access laws affect health insurance
Figuring out health insurance plans seems to get more and more complicated. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear the health insurance sector will change any time soon. Every carrier is different, and plans are too. And it may even get more complicated!
Fortunately, Direct Access is covered by a wide range of private health insurance carriers. Remember, you must check what your insurance covers, no matter what!
Physical therapists stay in regular communication with your physician no matter what. Our physical therapist will submit your plan of care to be reviewed and signed off on by a registered doctor. Fortunately, when your physical therapist creates a treatment plan, Medicare will cover the cost of the service.
There are numerous advantages to having Direct Access to physical therapy. For example, patients report higher satisfaction when receiving physical therapy through Direct Access versus physician referral. In addition, patients receiving physical therapy through direct Access versus referral had better outcomes at discharge.
If you or someone you love would like to learn more about Direct Access to physical therapy or how physical therapy helps you with any condition you are dealing with, request an appointment at Movement Specialists Physical Therapy today!