[ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ]
How should I prepare for my first appointment?
New patient paperwork should be completed and signed, if possible, prior to our appointment. If you are unable to do this, or need assistance, please contact us so we can help. Completed paperwork ensures we can maximize our time together during the appointment! You will also need:
Physician referral (if applicable, however this will be required for all MVA, L&I, and Post-Operative visits). Please note: your insurance may not require one for us to see you, but we generally recommend having one nonetheless.
Form of Payment: Check, Cash, Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, HSA), Venmo
Room for a treatment table and a sitting area to discuss your history and condition
Pets secured (unfortunately!). This is important, regardless of how friendly or cute they are! It minimizes distractions and ensures safety for everyone (yes, we have been bitten by a pet while performing a home visit).
How long are the appointments?
Generally, appointments will last between 45-55 minutes. Please understand that while we make every attempt to space appointments accordingly and arrive on time, other factors such as traffic and/or phone calls may affect this. Please note, our office is mobile! This means we do communicate with physicians, insurance companies, and patients in between visits. We will send a message if we anticipate running early or late.
How much will it cost?
If you have not met your deductible: We generally collect $175 up front for all evaluations, and $155 at time of service for all subsequent visits until your deductible is met. We will never bill you for more later on. Please note: This amount may vary depending on individual circumstances.
If you have met your deductible, but NOT your Out of Pocket Maximum: Your insurance will have an associated co-pay or co-insurance, which we will collect at time of service. Please keep in mind, physical therapy is considered a ‘Specialty’ service for insurance purposes.
If you have met BOTH your deductible AND Out of Pocket Maximum: Nothing!
IMPORTANT: Because we take payment at time of service, all co-insurance amounts are estimates and may change during the course of therapy, depending on how your claims are processed.
What do I wear?
The ideal outfit will entail athletic or loose-fitting clothing, allowing you to move (and us to move you!), as well as your area of complaint to be as exposed as possible.
For low back, hip, knee, and foot complaints: Shorts, if possible
For mid back, shoulder, neck complaints: T-shirt or tank top, if possible
What happens during the first appointment?
Our goal is to ensure a comprehensive and complete evaluation. When multiple complaints are presented, we will generally ask for a preference or area of focus. Remember, we will have multiple sessions to address all issues. For the first visit, we will hone in on your biggest complaints, while ensuring we have enough time for:
A discussion of your history and all questions which may guide the physical evaluation.
A functional, biomechanical assessment (if necessary) to determine if your complaints are movement-related, an ergonomic or workstation assessment (if necessary), and/or testing of range of motion, strength, stability/balance, flexibility, and joint mobility.
Any hands-on or manual therapy treatment
Exercise demonstration and reinforcement
Preparation of your customized program
Scheduling
How are future appointments structured?
The short answer is: whatever is best for you! We find that opening up with questions or issues from last appointment or in between is the perfect transition to your current one. We typically begin with some form of manual therapy (instrument-assisted or manual soft tissue mobilization, joint mobility techniques, mobilization with movement, etc.), and therapist assisted stretches, if needed.
The “active” component of your session will typically include:
Stretching, flexibility, and/or range of motion exercises
Balance or stabilization, if needed
Dynamic movement preparation
Isolated and/or integrated strengthening activities
Education to help you succeed in between our sessions, and after completion of physical therapy!
How do I cancel/reschedule an appointment?
Generally, the best way to cancel or reschedule is to text us! Email works well, too. If you have opted in for text message reminders during the new patient paperwork process, DO NOT reply to those text messages, as they are automatically generated and we will not receive it.