As a Clinic Director with Back in Motion, patient education is important to me at all stages of the treatment process, including before the first visit. Part of this education includes helping people understand they aren’t required to go to the physical therapist that their primary care physician refers them to.
In many states, including Maine, Direct Access laws often allow patients to see a physical therapist without a physician referral. Although some insurance still requires one for coverage (Medicare for example).
The ultimate message is that you, the patient, are in control of your health care. If you want a more convenient location, have had a prior experience with a PT, or you want to try a specific specialist that your friends or family recommended, you have options.
Your right to choose your physical therapy provider
It is a common misconception that you have to go where your physician refers. Just like you have the right to choose your physician, you have the right to choose your PT. Often, hospitals have a Physical Therapy office within the organization, and many surgeons keep the referral within the same organization out of convenience.
But ultimately what matters to them and your PT is that you return to what you love as quickly as possible.
Why choose your own Physical Therapist?
Choosing your physical therapist should be about choosing the best experience from start to finish. Is it easy to get your first appointment scheduled? Do you feel cared for after your first session? Are you learning how to take your health into your hands?
As a clinic director, these types of questions are on my mind every day we spend with patients, and it’s why we focus on an approach that you may not find everywhere else.
What we do differently here is that you are not just another total knee or total hip replacement where every patient gets the same standard treatment. In my experience, every surgery is different and every recovery is unique. Not everyone fits the same rehab progression, so not everyone should have the same rehab.
What you get with me and BIM is individualized and specific care tailored to what you want to get back to. Your recovery after surgery is as important as the surgery itself and it’s vital to have a team with your best interest at heart.
The cost of choosing your own PT
It’s difficult to generalize about the cost of treatment from one clinic to the next. Insurance is complicated, with coverage and payment arrangements changing based on location and provider. I always recommend contacting your insurance company ahead of time to get the full picture of cost and coverage.
However, you may not have to go through insurance in all cases. If you do not have insurance, our front office helps you figure out a way to afford the treatment that gets you back to your routine. Self-payment is usually an option at many standalone clinics like Back in Motion. Some may even offer packages or per-visit rates to help simplify things even further.
I hope you have found this information helpful, and speaking for our team at Back in Motion, we’re always happy to answer any questions you have about your referral and your options for care when you call a clinic near you.