By Pieter Reynolds Presence of chronic illness or injury can results in pain or reduces functional mobility. In those circumstances, many d...
By Pieter Reynolds
Presence of chronic illness or injury can results in pain or reduces functional mobility. In those circumstances, many doctors refer to go for physical therapy. You can also opt for a physical therapy session without consulting a doctor. In this internet-dominated world, finding a physical therapist is really an easy job. A single phone call or a spending few moments on internet can give you the contact of many physical therapists. However, it is really important to consult with a doctor before opting for a physical therapist for specific condition.
Whether you are referred by a friend or a doctor, it is utmost important to ask some essential questions to a physical therapist before opting one. Such questions will not only give you an informed decision about your rehabilitation & can also help you to find the best physical therapist for specific condition. Here are the 5 questions that you need to ask before opting for a physical therapist.
1: Does The Therapist Accept Your Insurance?
Though it sounds like a simple question, but still a large number of patients opt for physical therapy session without knowing the details about their insurance coverage. It is really important that your therapist accepts your insurance. If your physical therapy is covered under insurance then it can save you a big amount of money. You can also contact your insurance company to double check whether your therapy is covered under insurance or not.
2: What Is The Cancellation/ No Show Policy?
Some clinics charge their patient on cancellation of appointment without appropriate notice, usually 24 hours before the appointment time. The clinic will charge you a fee if you fail to show up for an appointment. There are instances when emergencies had occurred and patients were charged by the clinic due to not showing up in the clinic. It is really important to have a clear understanding about your physical therapist's cancellation policy to avoid extra fees during your rehabilitation.
3: Does The Therapist Posses Specialization?
Many therapists are certified clinical specialists. Having a specialization suggests that those individuals have passed many tests and exams. And it also suggests that they have proper insights about various types of physical therapies. For instance, you need a certified pediatric specialist for your child. However, for knee pain, you need to consult an orthopedic specialist. Therefore, it is really important to check whether the therapist posses specialization or not.
4: What Is The Therapist -Patient Ratio?
Therapist-patient ratio is another important question that you should ask before visiting a physical therapy clinic. Questions such as how many patients a therapist see at one time? Or whether there will be different therapist on each visit will give you proper insights about the clinic. If you feel that you need individual attention then opt for those clinics that choose to spend time with only one patient for each appointment. On the contrary, if you sign up for a clinic with multiple numbers of therapists then that may allow you to experience different therapies based on your physical condition.
5: Will The Care Offered By An Assistant Or Aide?
Last but an important question – will the care provided by a physical therapist assistant or therapy aide? A large numbers of licensed professionals assist physical therapists in providing care. The role of a therapy aide is to help physical therapists in preparing treatment procedures. However, there are some assistant therapists without any license. Individuals who fall into this category should never provide direct treatment to a person. Hence, it is also important from your end to verify whether the assistant is certified or not.
Before summing up, you need to understand that the above mentioned questions are really helpful if you have never attended a physical therapy session before. That doesn't mean people who have been to physical therapy sessions have the answers of these questions. Asking these simple yet important questions before opt a physical therapist will help you to make the most out of your therapy experience. If you are located in Anaheim Hills, then finding a physical therapy specialist is an easy job. However, the real trick lies with asking these questions to get 100% surety about her/his expertise.
Presence of chronic illness or injury can results in pain or reduces functional mobility. In those circumstances, many doctors refer to go for physical therapy. You can also opt for a physical therapy session without consulting a doctor. In this internet-dominated world, finding a physical therapist is really an easy job. A single phone call or a spending few moments on internet can give you the contact of many physical therapists. However, it is really important to consult with a doctor before opting for a physical therapist for specific condition.
Whether you are referred by a friend or a doctor, it is utmost important to ask some essential questions to a physical therapist before opting one. Such questions will not only give you an informed decision about your rehabilitation & can also help you to find the best physical therapist for specific condition. Here are the 5 questions that you need to ask before opting for a physical therapist.
1: Does The Therapist Accept Your Insurance?
Though it sounds like a simple question, but still a large number of patients opt for physical therapy session without knowing the details about their insurance coverage. It is really important that your therapist accepts your insurance. If your physical therapy is covered under insurance then it can save you a big amount of money. You can also contact your insurance company to double check whether your therapy is covered under insurance or not.
2: What Is The Cancellation/ No Show Policy?
Some clinics charge their patient on cancellation of appointment without appropriate notice, usually 24 hours before the appointment time. The clinic will charge you a fee if you fail to show up for an appointment. There are instances when emergencies had occurred and patients were charged by the clinic due to not showing up in the clinic. It is really important to have a clear understanding about your physical therapist's cancellation policy to avoid extra fees during your rehabilitation.
3: Does The Therapist Posses Specialization?
Many therapists are certified clinical specialists. Having a specialization suggests that those individuals have passed many tests and exams. And it also suggests that they have proper insights about various types of physical therapies. For instance, you need a certified pediatric specialist for your child. However, for knee pain, you need to consult an orthopedic specialist. Therefore, it is really important to check whether the therapist posses specialization or not.
4: What Is The Therapist -Patient Ratio?
Therapist-patient ratio is another important question that you should ask before visiting a physical therapy clinic. Questions such as how many patients a therapist see at one time? Or whether there will be different therapist on each visit will give you proper insights about the clinic. If you feel that you need individual attention then opt for those clinics that choose to spend time with only one patient for each appointment. On the contrary, if you sign up for a clinic with multiple numbers of therapists then that may allow you to experience different therapies based on your physical condition.
5: Will The Care Offered By An Assistant Or Aide?
Last but an important question – will the care provided by a physical therapist assistant or therapy aide? A large numbers of licensed professionals assist physical therapists in providing care. The role of a therapy aide is to help physical therapists in preparing treatment procedures. However, there are some assistant therapists without any license. Individuals who fall into this category should never provide direct treatment to a person. Hence, it is also important from your end to verify whether the assistant is certified or not.
Before summing up, you need to understand that the above mentioned questions are really helpful if you have never attended a physical therapy session before. That doesn't mean people who have been to physical therapy sessions have the answers of these questions. Asking these simple yet important questions before opt a physical therapist will help you to make the most out of your therapy experience. If you are located in Anaheim Hills, then finding a physical therapy specialist is an easy job. However, the real trick lies with asking these questions to get 100% surety about her/his expertise.
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