Frequently Asked Questions
(and the answers)
+ What is Physical Therapy (PT)?
Physical Therapy requires education at a master’s or doctoral level, as well as a state board certification. Physical Therapists are trained to evaluate the entire body and all related systems, with referral to outside sources as needed. PT is intended to restore function and prevent future injury in conjunction with, or in the place of, medicine or surgical intervention. PT’s use a combination of manual therapy (hands-on work) and skilled exercise, individualized for your specific problem, in order to maximize your recovery. PT’s are experts in physical rehabilitation through manual skills and therapeutic exercise. Click here for a more detailed description.
+ Does my insurance cover physical therapy?
Most insurance plans will cover physical therapy that is medically necessary (the medical necessity of your problem is documented by your physical therapist and verified by your doctor). Redpoint Physical Therapy also accepts motor vehicle, worker’s compensation, and self-pay. Check with us to see if your insurance is accepted.
+ Is my problem treatable with physical therapy?
Click here for a partial list of symptoms treated at Redpoint Physical Therapy. Dr. Sims is a skilled diagnostician and enjoys a challenge, so if you have a problem not listed, please contact her to discuss your needs.
+ Can I receive treatment for more than one problem at a time?
It depends. Believe it or not, most of your injuries are related, and many times, one injury cannot be treated independently of another. However, there may be times where treating multiple, unrelated injuries may detract from your therapy experience. In those cases it may be in your best interest to focus on the most limiting factor first. Your physical therapist will discuss your options with you and will strive to solve your problems in a timely manner.
+ Can I receive physical therapy services at more than one clinic?
No, insurance companies will only pay for PT services at one facility at a time. If you are switching facilities, please make sure you are discharged from your previous facility prior to your initial evaluation in order to avoid unnecessary costs due to insurance company denials.
+ Can I receive physical therapy services while receiving home care?
No, insurance will not pay for home care if you are receiving outpatient care. Please obtain a formal discharge from home care prior to your initial evaluation in order to avoid unnecessary costs due to insurance company denials.
+ What do I need to get an appointment?
Please contact your insurance company to see if you will need a prescription from your primary care doctor or prior authorization for your Physical Therapy benefit. You may also want to ask them what, if any, financial obligation you will have during your treatment. Once you have contacted your insurance and primary care doctor, you can call Redpoint Physical Therapy to schedule your initial evaluation.
+ Why do I need a doctor’s prescription?
While physical therapists are trained to diagnose, most insurances still require a doctor’s approval in order to cover physical therapy treatments. Providing your physical therapist with a recent and appropriate prescription for physical therapy helps protect you from unnecessary out-of-pocket costs due to insurance company regulations or denials.
+ How long are appointments?
The initial evaluation can run anywhere from 30-90 minutes, though it is typically an hour. Follow-up appointments will run 45-60 minutes, depending on the needs of the individual client. Every so often, your physical therapist will reassess your progress, and these visits may take a little longer than your usual follow-up appointments.
+ How many visits will I need to get better?
This depends on your initial evaluation, diagnosis, and goals, and can range from 1 visit to more than 36 visits. Redpoint PT strives to be cognizant of your finances as well as your physical needs and aims to help you achieve your goals in as few visits as possible.
+ What will my out-of-pocket costs be?
This will vary depending upon the contract you have with your insurance company. You should call your insurance company prior to scheduling any appointment to ask them if there will be out-of-pocket expenses, such as a deductible, co-payment, or co-insurance, and how much they will be. Your insurance company will best be able to tell you what your responsibilities would be. If you will not be going through your insurance to pay for PT, we can tell you what those costs would be.
+ Why do some physical therapy visits cost more than others?
Prices for individual treatment sessions may vary from day to day based on length of time in treatment and particular treatments administered. In addition, the initial evaluation usually costs more than follow-up appointments. You may only be responsible for a co-payment, or your insurance may require you to pay a deductible or co-insurance for each visit (please contact your insurance company and Redpoint PT for further information on this).
+ What happens when I complete my prescribed plan of care?
Your plan of care will be developed at the initial evaluation, and may differ slightly from the number of visits prescribed by your doctor. The number of visits determined in your plan of care will depend on your specific impairments, goals, insurance allowance, and financial ability. If, at the end of your prescribed visits, you are not feeling better, a re-evaluation can be performed to get more visits. Depending on your insurance coverage, additional visits may or may not be approved.
Upon completing your plan of care, you are welcome to participate in Redpoint Physical Therapy’s Supervised Post-Rehabilitation Independent Training (SPRINT). For a fixed cost, you will be allowed use of the equipment you were trained on, and you may continue to consult Dr. Sims regarding ongoing physical problems.
+ Can I come back to physical therapy after I complete my prescribed plan of care?
In most cases, yes - Redpoint welcomes former clients with any injuries, and often patients will require semi-regular maintience in order to maintain their optimal level of function. Some insurances offer limited coverage per diagnosis during the calendar year or lifetime of the policy. Again, it is advised that you contact your insurance company prior to your first appointment for details on your coverage.