Do I need a referral or prescription from my physician to schedule an appointment?
No! Texas law allows physical and occupational therapists to evaluate any patient to determine if you would benefit from our care.
If you already have a referral (sometimes called a prescription) for therapy, then treatment will most likely be initiated during your first visit, based upon an individualized plan of care agreed upon by you and your therapist. If you do not have a referral and your therapist determines that you will benefit from therapy, they will contact your physician to obtain a referral on your behalf. If you do not have a physician or need further evaluation or diagnostic testing, your therapist will recommend a consult with an appropriate specialist prior to initiating therapy.
Our office is able to accept most commercial insurance plans, Medicare, worker's compensation, and personal injury protection (PIP) plans for automobile accidents. Our friendly office staff will be happy to verify your insurance benefits and provide you with a thorough explanation of your benefits and financial obligations prior to initiation of therapy. For those that have a plan that we are unable to accept or choose not to use their insurance due to high deductible plans, we also offer an affordable discounted cash rate and individualized payment plans. Due to the efficiency and quality of care provided in our clinic, many of our “out of network” patients have found the overall cost of their care is actually lower when paying our cash rate than when going to another “in-network” facility. Please give us a call if you have further questions about insurance or our billing policies.
How early should I arrive?
We ask that you arrive a minimum of 15 minutes prior to your appointment time so that we can explain our policies and to complete any additional forms requested by your therapist. If you are unable to download the online forms, we ask that you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. If you are late or do not allow enough time to complete your paperwork, your time with your therapist may be limited so that they can provide timely care to their next scheduled patient.
What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that allow for free movement and exposure of the area being treated. In rare instances, a gown may be required to allow your therapist to assess or treat you while maintaining maximal coverage and modesty.
Do I need to bring anything?
Along with your completed new patient paperwork, please bring a picture ID (driver's license or equivalent), your insurance card, an up-to-date medication list, your therapy referral (sometimes called a prescription) from your referring physician or health-care provider (if you have one), and any other applicable reports (x-ray, MRI, labs, etc) or physician instruction. Please also bring any braces, splints, crutches, canes, walkers, or any other equipment related to your condition.
What can I expect at my first appointment?
Your first appointment will take about 1 hour during which your assigned therapist will complete a comprehensive evaluation to identify any deficits and contributing factors to your condition. Based upon your therapist's findings, an individualized treatment plan will be established. Your therapist will be sure to solicit your input and will take into account your unique scheduling needs when establishing the weekly frequency (usually 1-2 times/week) of your appointments. If time allows, treatment will usually be initiated during your initial appointment and may include hands-on manual therapy, exercise instruction, or use of specialized treatments to decrease pain or inflammation.
