FAQs
1
Am I required to have a referral from my doctor before starting physical therapy?
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2
What do I bring to my first PT appointment?
If you have a referral for physical therapy from your doctor, please bring that with you or email it ahead of time. Please also remember to bring your insurance card(s) and a credit card/cash for your copay.
1
Am I required to have a referral from my doctor before starting physical therapy?
Use this space to promote your business, its products or its services. Help people become familiar with the business and its offerings, creating a sense of connection and trust. Focus on what makes your business unique and how users can benefit from choosing it.
1
Am I required to have a referral from my doctor before starting physical therapy?
Many patients come to physical therapy with a referral from their doctor; however, most insurance companies do not require a physician’s referral. A referral, however, is required for Medicare/Medicaid patients. Feel free to call our offices to check and see if you need a referral prior to starting physical therapy.
3
What insurances does PTS accept?
We accept most major insurance carriers including Medicare/Medicaid, Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Hawk-I, Midlands Choice, etc. Please call the clinic location you are wanting to seek services at and we will verify if we are an in-network provider.
Dyersville - 563-875-8615
Manchester - 563-927-1499
Dubuque (Cascade Rd) - 563-231-9900
Downtown Dubuque (Harrison St) - 563-231-9900
4
What do I wear to my first PT appointment?
To ensure the most effective treatment, please wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes.
5
How many appointments will I need?
This is highly variable. Some patients may only need one visit, while others may need weeks of care. This depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairments, your past medical history, etc. You will be re-evaluated periodically; and when you see your doctor, we will provide them with a progress report with our recommendations if needed.
6
How does the billing process work? Will I have a copay?
Billing for therapy services is similar to what happens at your doctor’s office. When you are seen for treatment at Physical Therapy Solutions, the following occurs:
1) Our office bills your insurance, worker’s comp company, or you directly for the charges related to your treatment based on CPT (Common Practice Terminology) codes.
2) These codes are transferred to a billing form that is either mailed or electronically submitted to your insurance carrier.
3) Your carrier processes this information and makes payments according to an agreed upon fee schedule.
4) An EOB (Explanation of Benefits) is generated and sent to you, and the therapy clinic receives a check for payment and a balance due by the patient.
5) You are responsible for any costs not covered by your insurance. Most insurances policies require you to pay a copay for each appointment unless you have already reached your deductible.
It is important to note that there are many small steps (beyond those outlined above) within the process. Exceptions are common, and at any time along the way, information may be missing, miscommunicated, or misunderstood. All of these can delay the payment process. For peace of mind, we recommend checking with your insurance carrier for specifics related to your plan. Jill, our office manager, will work closely with you to keep you informed or answer any questions regarding your insurance coverage and physical therapy fees as well.
7
Who is in charge of my care?
You will be evaluated at your first visit by one of our licensed physical therapists. In most cases, your initial PT will also treat you during subsequent visits. Our physical therapist assistants, work closely alongside our physical therapists to aide in treatment as well. We want you to feel comfortable with our PT’s one-on-one style to best maintain continuity of care during your recovery.
8
What happens during my first appointment?
Upon your first visit, you’ll fill out registration paperwork and provide us with your insurance information. You’ll discuss your medical history, medications, past procedures/tests, current problems/complaints, pain intensity, what aggravates/eases the problem, how it is impacting your daily functional activities, and goals with therapy. Your PT will then complete a comprehensive evaluation of your physical functioning. After your first appointment, a treatment plan is then developed to include frequency of visits, home exercise program, patient education, and short-term/long-term goals.
9
What types of treatments will I receive?
There are dozens of different treatment interventions that our staff uses depending on your diagnosis, pain management, and plan of care. Feel free to ask them at the time of your appointment!
10
How long should I expect my appointments to last?
This first appointment will last approximately one hour. For your remaining appointments, most physical therapy treatments will last approximately 45 minutes.