to your specific condition, you may already have a patient/provider relationship with your physical therapist, the location may be more convenient or other aspects of the facility may be better suited to meet your needs. All are valid reasons for you to personally choose Saving Healthcare DOLLAR$ with DIRECTACCESS Although most insurance plans cover direct access services, Medicare is slightly different in that it allows for an individual to be evaluated under direct access, but a physician must sign a plan of care for the treatment to be carried out and to be covered by Medicare. Whether you have coverage through Medicare or private insurance, our physical therapists will always communicate with your primary care physician regarding medical necessity, your plan of care, and as much as you, One benefit of direct access to physical therapy is lowered health care costs. Research studies have shown that patients who went straight to a physical therapist averaged fewer claims and fewer visits than patients referred by a physician. The length of treatment for direct access patients was shorter and the total cost of claims lower. Prompt attention and entrance into a treatment plan of care contributes greatly to savings, not only financially, but in time as well. The ability to personally choose your physical therapy provider typically provides greater patient satisfaction and is many times more convenient than when someone else chooses who you will see. The staff at AchieveTherapy is happy to help answer your questions regarding direct access for physical therapy. Call the location nearest you to schedule your appointment directly or to get your direct access questions answered. the patient, wishes. COSTS AVING$ where you receive physical therapy. MEDICARE&DIRECTACCESS
All of the changes in health care over the last decade have raised concern about the costs of health care and what can be done to keep those costs down. One way that has been proven to do just that is direct access to physical therapy. What is direct access and how can you benefit? WHATISDIRECTACCESS? Direct access is the ability for people to be evaluated and treated by a licensed physical therapist without first having to see a physician. This is regulated by the individual states, but currently all 50 states and the District of Columbia allow you to be evaluated by a physical therapist without physician referral. In addition, all 50 states and the District of Columbia allow some level of treatment to be provided by a physical therapist, without physician referral. Physical therapists are highly trained health care professionals who are experts in evaluating musculoskeletal injuries or conditions, as well as neurological conditions. This allows them to design and implement effective treatment programs that will address the problems an evaluation reveals. Because they work in cooperation with physicians and other healthcare providers, they recognize when a patient needs to be referred onto a physician for further diagnostic testing or treatments that are outside of their expertise, and will do so appropriately. FREEDOMOFCHOICE Direct access provides patients the freedom to choose where and from whom they would like to receive physical therapy. The American Physical Therapy Association reminds people that, “you have the right to choose your own physical therapist and are not obligated to receive physical therapy in any specific facility. Always insist that your physical therapy be provided by a licensed physical therapist.” You may have good reasons to see the physical therapist of your choosing. They may have special skills or treatment methods related
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