Physical Therapy FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PHYSICAL THERAPY AT ATP
My Doctor has given me a referral For physical therapy, how do I make an appointment?
You can do one of two things:
1. Call our office @ 626-403-6545 and press Option 1. We will take your details and schedule your initial appointment
2. Complete our patient forms and email them to ATPdesk@AOL.com or fax them to 626-441-7660 and our staff will contact you to schedule an appointment.
Can I see a therapist without a referral?
Under California Law a referral is required from an MD for all patients who receive Physical or Occupational Therapy. Please have your doctor fax us a prescription at 626-441-7660 and set an appointment.
What do I need to bring with me?
Make sure you bring your physical therapy referral (provided to you by your doctor), your insurance information, a form of ID and a form of payment if your insurance won’t cover your bill 100%. If you have any doctor’s reports or copies of x-rays, please bring those to assist the Therapist in knowing your condition. You can also download and complete all of our patient forms, which many save you time when you come into the club.
What happens during my first visit?
After confirming your reservation we review all your paperwork and copy relevant documents for our files. You will receive a copy of your forms and any policies of which you need to be aware.
You will then have an initial evaluation with one of our Physical Therapists, who will discuss your medical history and current situation including any pain you’re feeling, what makes it worse and how it impacts on your daily activities.
Your Therapist will then undertake an evaluation, checking your range of motion, pain levels, the strength and quality of muscle contraction and any necessary tests depending upon your diagnosis.
With your input, the therapist will develop your treatment plan. This will include how many times a week and number of weeks you should have Physical Therapy, any home exercise programs you should also do, your long and shot term treatment goals and what is expected after discharge from therapy. During your treatment we send progress reports to your doctor so he/her is aware of your treatment and progress.
Do I work with one Therapist or many?
Your treatment is normally scheduled with the Physical Therapist who first evaluated you, and supported by our Therapy Aides. However, in order to avoid any lapse in your treatment due to vacation, sickness or if there are no appointments available at the time you can attend, we may have to schedule you with another Physical Therapist. Please know that your treatment is during each visit is well documented to ensure continuity and quality of care.
What should I wear?
You should wear something comfortable in which you can move around.
How long will my treatment last?
Each session typically lasts approximately 1 hour
How long will I have to have therapy?
The prescription from your doctor normally states how often you should come and for how long. Typically 2-3 times per week for a specific duration (such as 6 weeks)
However this is variable depending on your diagnosis and/or the severity of your situation. Your progress will be monitored and your treatment plan will be amended as necessary.
What is the cancellation policy?
We have a strict 24-hour cancelation policy. If you can’t get hold of anyone, or if you need to call during off hours, please leave a phone message.
Who pays for my treatment?
Physical and Occupational therapy treatment is often covered by your health insurance, however the coverage will vary with each plan. Before your initial evaluation appointment we will verify your insurance and let you know what your financial responsibility is and what benefit limitation you have. You will be given a copy of your Confirmation of Benefits at your first visit.
We accept most PPO plans, Medicare, Workers Compensation and Automobile insurance. Please note we do not take HMO plans, Medical or accident Liens.
All co-payments, co-insurance or deductibles are due at the point of service, so each time you attend for treatment make sure you have a form of payment if you need to pay. We accept most credit cards, cash and checks.
Who bills my insurance company?
All our insurance billing is done in our office so we can give individual attention to your insurance issues.
We normally bill your insurance company the day after your treatment and expect payment within 2 – 6 weeks. An Explanation of Benefit will be sent to you by your insurance company for your information and to ATP with the payment.
After reviewing your insurance policy and discussing it with you, we estimate any out-of-pocket costs on a per visit basis and ask for payment at that time. At the end of your treatment we will reconcile your account and either refund any overpaid monies or will send you a statement for any monies owed.
What if I have a large deductible or have hardship problems?
We believe everyone should be able to afford Physical Therapy and take control of their health, so if there are any hardship problems please let us know and we will work with you towards a solution.
What if I don’t have any health insurance or my insurance doesn’t cover Physical Therapy?
We do offer very competitive rates if you wish to pay cash for your treatment. Ask the front desk about our payment plans, and please note you will still be required to have a referral from your MD.
CLICK BELOW FOR FORMS
Patient Information Insurance Form
