FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
> What happens during my first visit?
> What do I need to bring with me?
> How should I dress?
> How long will each treatment last?
> How many visits will I need?
> Who pays for the treatment?
> How does the billing process work?
> Why is physical therapy a good choice?
> Who will see me?
> Is therapy painful?
> Will I get a massage at physical therapy?
> What happens if my problem or pain returns?
> Can I go to any therapy clinic?
> Can I go directly to my physical or occupational therapist?
> Can my therapist provide me with a diagnosis?
What happens during my first visit?
- During your first visit you can expect the following:
- Arrive at your appointment 5 minutes early to complete your paperwork or you can download the paperwork (data sheet from the forms tab).
- You will need to bring your prescription for therapy, if your insurance requires a physicians prescription.
- We will copy your insurance card.
- You will be seen for the initial evaluation and recommended therapy.
- The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation and develop a treatment plan to address the problems you are experiencing. The plan is created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor/healthcare provider.
What do I need to bring with me?
Make sure you bring your therapy referral provided to you by your doctor (if required by your insurance company) and your payment information. If your insurance is covering the cost of physical 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, make sure you bring this information.
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How should I dress?
You should wear loose fitting clothing 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 or bring shorts. For a shoulder or elbow problem, a tank top is a good choice, and for low back problems, wear a loose fitting shirt and pants, again so we can perform a thorough examination.
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How long will each treatment last?
Depending on your individual needs, treatment sessions typically last 30 minutes to 1 hour. The initial visit usually takes a minimum of 45 minutes.
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How many visits will I need?
This is highly variable. You may need one visit or you may need 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 regular basis and when you see your doctor, we will provide your doctor with a progress report.
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Who pays for the treatment?
In most cases, health insurance will cover your treatment. Click on our insurance link above for a summary of insurances we accept and make sure you talk to our receptionist so we can help you clarify your insurance coverage. Most insurance cards have a phone number to call for questions regarding therapy coverage. We call on every new patient and will explain your benefits to you if you need assistance.
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How does the billing process work?
Billing for therapy services is similar to what happens at your doctor’s office. When you are seen for treatment, the following occurs:
- The therapist bills your insurance company, Workers’ Comp, or charges you based on Common Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes.
- Those codes are transferred to a billing form that is either mailed or electronically communicated to the payer.
- The payer processes this information and makes payments according to an agreed upon fee schedule.
- An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is generated and sent to the patient and the therapy clinic with a check for payment and a balance due by the patient.
- Our billing specialist will bill you the remainder balance, you are expected to make the payment on the balance if any.
It is important to understand that there are many small steps (beyond the outline provided above) within the process. Exceptions are common to the above example as well. At any time along the way, information may be missing, or misunderstood. This can delay the payment process. While it is common for the payment process to be completed in 60 days or less, it is not uncommon for the therapy clinic to receive payment as long as six months after the treatment date.
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Why is physical therapy a good choice?
More than half of all Americans are suffering from pain. Whether it is a recent episode or chronic, an ABC News/Stanford study revealed that pain in America is a serious problem. However, many do not even know that physical and occupational therapists are well equipped to not only treat pain but also address its source.
Physical and occupational therapists are experts at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder, and therapists can help correct the disorder and relieve the pain.
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Who will see me?
You will be evaluated by one of our licensed and highly trained physical or occupational therapists and he/she will also treat you during subsequent visits. Unlike some clinics, where you see someone different each visit, we feel it is very important to develop a one-on-one relationship with you to maintain continuity of care. Occasionally, seeing another therapist in our office may be necessary due to your schedule requirements. In this case, our therapists carefully discuss specifics about your case with the to emphasize continuity of care.
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Is therapy painful?
For many patients, one of the primary objectives is pain relief. This is frequently accomplished with hands-on techniques, modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and/or heat or cold therapy. Movement often provides pain relief as well. Your therapist will provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance.
In some cases, therapy techniques can be painful. For example, recovering knee range of motion after total knee replacement or shoulder range of motion after shoulder surgery may be painful. Your therapist will utilize a variety of techniques to help maximize your treatment goals. It is important that you communicate the intensity, frequency, and duration of pain to your therapist. Without this information, it is difficult for the therapist to adjust your treatment plan.
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Will I get a massage at physical therapy?
Massage may be part of your treatment. Rehabilitation specialists are trained in a variety of techniques that may help with your recovery. Deep tissue techniques may be part of the rehabilitative process. Massage is used to facilitate venous return from a swollen area, to relax a tight muscle, or to relieve pain.
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What happens if my problem or pain returns?
Flare ups are not uncommon. If you have a flare up (exacerbation), give us a call. We may suggest you come back to see us, return to your doctor, or simply modify your daily activities or exercise routine. Many times, modifications to your home program can be achieved with a phone call. Our therapists are often with patients during the day; however, messages are returned within 24 hours.
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Can I go to any therapy clinic?
In most cases, you have the right to choose any physical or occupational therapy clinic. Our practice is a provider for many different insurance plans. We work with all physicians/healthcare providers and enjoy the opportunity to be involved with the Northern Colorado medical community. The best thing to do is give us a call with questions.
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Can I go directly to my physical or occupational therapist?
Yes, Colorado is a direct access state where you can go to a physical therapist or occupational therapist without a referral; however, many insurance companies still require a referral from your doctor so this is important to verify with your health insurance provider. We will perform a comprehensive initial evaluation and if your condition does not appear to be within our scope of practice or you have not made improvements within 30 days, we will refer you to your doctor or appropriate medical specialist.
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Can my therapist provide me with a diagnosis?
In most states, physical and occupational therapists cannot make a medical diagnosis. This is something that your medical doctor will provide for you.
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