- HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER I NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY?
A person afflicted with an injury or illness that affects their ability to move or walk, or changes their normal pattern of activity may be a good candidate for physical therapy. This includes individuals suffering from pain or disability related to injuries sustained in auto accidents, at the workplace, at home slips and falls, after surgery, pediatric or developmental conditions, adult onset neurological conditions or injuries from sports participation. Last modified: February 11, 2009 16:44 pm by dem0
~Back to top - HOW DO I REQUEST PHYSICAL THERAPY?
Ask your Primary Care Physician (PCP) for a physical therapy prescription to evaluate your condition.
OR
In the State of Connecticut, a licensed physical therapist can evaluate and treat WITHOUT A PHYSICIAN'S PRESCRIPTION, for up to 6 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first. After the evaluation, we will be in contact with your physician and try to obtain a prescription to ensure insurance coverage. [Not applicable for worker's compensation and Medicare patients.]
Last modified: February 11, 2009 16:51 pm by dem0
~Back to top - CAN I CHOOSE WHERE I WANT TO GO FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY?
Physical therapy services should be chosen based upon quality, professionalism and the skill of the practitioners providing the service. It should also be chose by locations that are convenient for the patient-client. Timely access to the physical therapy clinic should also be a consideration. However, for most people the issue is whether the physical therapy service is a provider for their health insurance plan. The physical therapy provided by ECRC is part of nearly all health insurance plans in Connecticut. Patients who wish to access ECRC Physical Therapy should check with their insurance carrier for not only whether they can receive physical therapy, but also what providers are part of their plan, what services, how many visits they can attend, what types of co-pays or additional charges are potentially incurred.
At ECRC, our office has dealt with many concerns of both patients as well as informing and verifying their coverage for those patients we wish to serve. Oftentimes, we have advised patients of their benefits.
Once you know what your benefit is, as well as any financial responsibilities and/or restrictions in your policy, the next most important part is the ability to choose the therapist or the therapy service you wish to attend. You always have the right to choose the physical therapy service you believe to be the most beneficial to help your condition. Over our 20 years of respected service, ECRC has been chosen by both physicians, insurance companies and community for the quality of services that we deliver. Physical therapy services are not always independently chosen. Some physical therapy services are owned by or have financial involvement with the same referral sources sending you to that therapy service. You should choose your physical therapy service based on the quality of the service, not by the financial interest of any physician group or vested interest that may own that service.
Give ECRC Physical Therapy a try. We'll prove to you that we're different and worth the effort.
Last modified: February 11, 2009 16:55 pm by dem0
~Back to top - WHAT SHOULD I WEAR ON MY FIRST VISIT?
You should always wear or bring comfortable clothing. You will need to be ready to exercise and / or stretch. Materials like denim typically do not allow for this. Especially on the first day, be prepared to expose the body area for which you are seeking treatment: for knee pain, wear shorts and for a woman with shoulder pain, a tank top with very thin straps would be helpful.Last modified: February 11, 2009 16:56 pm by cknight
~Back to top - HOW LONG DOES THE 1st VISIT TAKE?
The PT usually spends about an hour with you on the 1st day.Last modified: February 11, 2009 16:56 pm by cknight
~Back to top - WHAT IS DONE ON THE 1st VISIT?
Your PT will ask you about your medical history, including your medications; please remember to bring your completed forms.
Your PT will also check your mobility, strength, function, balance, gait, etc., as appropriate for your diagnosis.
Your PT will probably give you some exercise to perform at home, to help you reduce your pain and / or improve your mobility. He / she may educate you further about your condition. Last modified: February 11, 2009 16:57 pm by cknight
~Back to top - HOW LONG DO THE SESSIONS USUALLY TAKE?
After the 1st visit, the sessions usually take between 30 & 60 minutes. After the 1st visit, your PT can answer this better.Last modified: February 11, 2009 16:57 pm by cknight
~Back to top - WHAT IF I HAVE LIMITED TIME ON A CERTAIN DAY?
If you will need to leave the clinic by a certain time, due to another appointment or child care issues, please let your PT know at the start of the session so the PT can maximize your time together. Your PT will be sure to finish your treatment session on time.Last modified: February 11, 2009 16:58 pm by cknight
~Back to top - IS IT GOING TO BE PAINFUL?
In nearly all cases, the goal of your PT is to calm your pain, NOT to increase it. ECRC Physical Therapy does not follow the "No pain, no gain" philosophy. If you are having pain when you come to PT, please talk to your PT or the site manager.Last modified: February 11, 2009 16:59 pm by cknight
~Back to top - I WILL BE COMING IN WITH A WORKER'S COMPENSATION INJURY. CAN I SCHEDULE MY PT ON COMPANY TIME?
By law, you are allowed to schedule PT on company time. However, due to current economic conditions, it may be wise for you to schedule when you are out of work. You can talk with your doctor or PT further about this in person.Last modified: February 11, 2009 17:00 pm by cknight
~Back to top - UNTIL I SEE THE PT, SHOULD I USE HEAT OR ICE?
In most instances, you should use ice. However, you will need to ask your PT after the evaluation. Ice typically works better after an injury, when there is inflammation, and on muscle spasms.Last modified: February 11, 2009 17:01 pm by cknight
~Back to top - CAN I GET A SLIP TO SHOW I WAS AT PT?
If you need an attendance slip for your employer, teacher or coach, the clinical staff can sign a slip for the same day.
If you want to know all of your visits, the business office can print out a summary of all of the days you attended, after your last session. This is often helpful for patients who have a workers compensation injury and want to submit for reimbursement of mileage.
We will not give you a proof-of-attendance form for future appointments, other than your appointment card.Last modified: February 11, 2009 17:02 pm by cknight
~Back to top - HOW DO I KNOW IF MY INSURANCE COVERS PT?
1) You can check your policy manual and / or call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to confirm your benefits for physical therapy, including any insurance co-payment requirements.
2) As a courtesy, we will call your insurance company to confirm your benefits. This will be explained to you prior to your visit with the PT.
Ultimately, you are responsible for the coverage of your PT care, but we will help you as much as we can.Last modified: February 11, 2009 17:02 pm by cknight
~Back to top - I CAN'T AFFORD THIS...WHAT CAN I DO?
We understand that anyone can have financial hardships, especially after an injury that takes you out of work. We can set up a payment plan so that you can still obtain the benefits of PT. Your PT can also try to decrease the visits in PT and increase the home exercise program, if possible.
If you are trying to decide whether you can afford the 12 sessions that the doctor ordered, remember that we will work with you. We would rather give you a home exercise program and educate you in self care than have you suffer on your own.
You need to ask yourself, "Can I physically afford NOT to do this?"Last modified: February 11, 2009 17:04 pm by cknight
~Back to top - HOW LONG DO I GO TO PT? FOREVER?
The goal at ECRC Physical Therapy is to allow you to resume your normal daily activities, if possible, as soon as possible. This may take 2 sessions or 2 months. If you have had surgery, your doctor probably has a certain time period that he typically allows for healing.
You will NOT be attending PT forever. Once you get to the point where you are not progressing, the physical therapy is usually discontinued.
At that point, if you are still seeking care, you may consider seeing 1 of the massage therapists at ECRC. This is not covered by insurance. Massage therapy is offered in our Norwich and Killingly sites; each of these massages therapists have over 15 years experience.Last modified: February 11, 2009 17:06 pm by cknight
~Back to top - WILL I SEE THE SAME PT EACH VISIT?
It is ECRC's policy for you to be seen by 1 PT. However, if there is a scheduling conflict [on our part or yours] and we are able to otherwise schedule you in the clinic, we may offer you a visit with another PT. We also may offer a consultation with another therapist who may be more experienced in cases such as yours or can offer a different type of treatment. It is always your option to schedule solely with your primary PT, the PT who did your evaluation. Otherwise, changes are made only for your convenience.Last modified: February 12, 2009 16:53 pm by cknight
~Back to top - CAN I PAY WITH MY CREDIT CARD?
ECRC Physical Therapy will conveniently accept Visa, Master Card, and Discover in addition to cash and checks.Last modified: February 23, 2009 19:50 pm by cknight
~Back to top - WILL I BE CHARGED IF I CANCEL AN APPOINTMENT WITHIN 24 HOURS OF MY SCHEDULED VISIT?
ECRC Physical Therapy recently initiated a no-show policy of charging patients $25 if they DO NOT SHOW FOR AN APPOINTMENT. This charge is the patient's personal responsibility, not their insurance company. However, we understand that emergencies do happen; we simply ask that you call our office if you are unable to attend. By doing so, hopefully we can reschedule your appointment so we can continue to work together on your recovery as this is our ultimate goal. By calling us, you also give us the opportunity to put another person into your scheduled time; someone else may be waiting for a more opportune time.Last modified: December 4, 2009 22:37 pm by cknight
~Back to top - DO YOU SELL GIFT CERTIFICATES?
We offer gift certificates for our unique Fit 4 U Program, Golf Fitness, Massage Therapy, and Reflexology.
Call any of our offices for more information.Last modified: December 4, 2009 22:39 pm by cknight
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