Did you know that Medicare no longer requires you to get a physician referral to physical therapy? It’s true.
Medicare and many other health insurance carriers no longer require that you see a physician before beginning physical therapy. As of April 15, 20015 all fifty states now allow some level of direct access to physical therapy. It has taken the APTA more than 25 years of hard work to establish that this is safe and cost effective. Since physical therapists have been required to obtain a doctorate degree for entry level into the field of therapy, those that do not hold a doctorate are required to obtain further education and experience to obtain a direct access certificate. Physical therapists are well trained to evaluate and identify red flags in your symptoms and are required to refer you to a physician when the scope of your care is outside of their level of expertise or when further testing is warranted.
The direct access laws in Virginia allow a certified Physical Therapist to evaluate and treat a patient for 30 days and then they will require a referral from a medical doctor, chiropractor, nurse practitioner, dentist or other medical practitioner. Studies have found that this method of access actually saves time and money and allows for quicker intervention in order to speed your recovery. In addition physical therapists are able to offer preventative health care in the form of evaluation, education, exercise classes, exercise recommendations for injury prevention and weight loss and hands on treatment. They can help to advise you in many aspects of your health care.
Mountainside Physical Therapy currently offers direct access evaluations for treatment and prevention. We have a multitude of interventions including massage, cold laser, exercise classes for strength, endurance, balance, injury recovery, self care education, Pilates, TRX and dance to name just a few. Your local physical therapist’s expertise can help you identify the cause of your pain, your balance and dizziness problems, difficulty with walking or other limitations that prevent you from participating in work and leisure activities.