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Making the Right Choice


 

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 therapists are well equipped to treat not only pain but also its source.

Physical therapists are experts at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder, and physical therapists can help correct the disorder and relieve the pain.

Can I Go To Any Physical Therapy Clinic?

In most cases, you have the right to choose any physical therapy clinic. Our practice is a provider for many different insurance plans. The best thing to do is give us a call, and we will attempt to answer all of your questions.

How Do I Choose A Physical Therapy Clinic?

These are some things you may consider when seeking a physical therapy clinic:

  • The therapist should be licensed in the state.
  • The first visit should include a thorough medical history and physical examination before any treatment is rendered.
  • The patient goals should be discussed in detail during the first visit.
  • Care should include a variety of techniques which might include hands-on techniques, soft tissue work, therapeutic exercises and in some cases heat, cold, electrical stimulation or ultrasound.
  • Do they have a service that can address your problem?
  • Do they take your insurance or are they willing to work with you if they are not a preferred provider?
  • They should be conveniently located. Since sitting and driving often aggravate orthopedic problems, there should be a very good reason for you to drive a long distance for rehabilitation.
  • What are the hours of operation?
  • Can they provide satisfaction survey results?
  • The therapist should provide the treatment.
  • Can you briefly interview the therapist before the first visit?
  • Ask your family and friends who they would recommend.

Why Should I Choose A Private Practice Physical Therapist?

Who is better to see, a PT that works for a physician or a PT that owns a private practice? We leave it up to you to draw your own conclusions but here are some facts. The studies indicate there were more treatments (visits per patient were 39% to 45% higher in physician-owned clinics), and the cost was greater for those patients that attended a physician owned physical therapy practice (both gross and net revenue per patient were 30% to 40% higher)1.

Another study indicated that licensed and non-licensed therapy providers spent less time with each patient in physician owned clinics and physical therapy assistants were substituted for physical therapists.2

Another older study concluded that "Therapists who had treated patients through direct access were significantly more likely to believe that direct access had benefited them professionally and benefited their patients than were therapists who had not practiced through direct access."3

We believe that we can provide you with the highest quality of care available and do it in a cost-effective manner.4 You will work closely with your physical therapist and in most instances, your case will be managed by the same physical therapist from the beginning to the end of your experience with us.

  • Mitchell, J., Scott, E., Physician Ownership of Physical Therapy Services: Effects on Charges, Utilization, Profits, and Service Characteristics, Journal of the American Medical Association, 1992.
  • "Joint Ventures Among Health Care Providers in Florida," State of Florida Health Care Cost Containment Board, 1991.
  • Domholdt E, Durchholz AG. Direct access uses by experienced therapists in states with direct access. Phys Ther. 1992 Aug;72(8):569-74.
  • Federal Office of the Inspector General May 1, 2006 - This report calls into question billing processes done by non-physical therapist owned practices. 

Can I Go Directly To My Physical Therapist?

All fifty states have some form of direct access. In most cases, if you are not making a significant improvement within 30 days, the therapist will refer you to/back to your physician.

Seeing a physical therapist first is safe and could save you hundreds of dollars or even thousands of dollars. Click here for details

Is My Therapist Licensed?

Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are licensed by their respective states.

Can My Therapist Provide Me With A Diagnosis?

In most states, physical therapists cannot make a medical diagnosis. This is something that your medical doctor will provide for you.

Physical therapists are important members of your medical team. At this point in time, physicians are typically the health care providers that will provide you with a medical diagnosis.



Major Insurance Providers Accepted

At Advantage Physical Therapy, we accept most major medical insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed below.

If you are looking to schedule an appointment with Women’s Health, we only accept medical insurance through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO/PPO, Tricare, and Veterans Administration.

Contact us!

Aetna
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO/PPO
Department of Labor
Medicare
Tricare
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Advantage Physical Therapy
6565 Arlington Boulevard
Suite 220
Falls Church, VA 22042