We work with all types of private insurance and Medicare. We also accept self pay. If you would like assistance verifying your benefits or discussing pricing, please contact us. In addition, if we come across any irregularities with your insurance plan, we will contact you as soon as possible.
If your insurance is covering the cost of physical therapy, bring your insurance card. If you are covered by Workers’ Compensation, bring your claim number and your case manager’s contact information. If you are covered by auto insurance or an attorney lien, make sure you bring this information. A script is not necessary for evaluation, but if you have one from your doctor feel free bring it with you.
You should wear loose fitting clothing so you can expose the area that we will be evaluating and treating. If you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice, and for low back problems, wear a loose fitting shirt and pants. This will allow us to perform a thorough examination.
For a detailed explanation of your first visit, please view our New Patients page.
You do not need to see a physician first. We can evaluate and treat as direct access providers. If your issue is outside of our scope of practice, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Evaluations are typically 45 minutes. Treatment sessions could last from 45 to 60 minutes depending on your individual needs.
This is highly variable. You may need one visit or you may need months of care. It depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairments, your past medical history, etc. You will continually be re-evaluated, so we can assure that appropriate progress is being made.
Determining if it is better to see a PT working for a physician or a PT that owns a private practice, will ultimately be up to you. However, here are some facts. Studies indicate that there were more treatments (visits per patient were 39% to 45% higher in physician owned clinics) and the cost was greater for those patients that attended a physician owned physical therapy practice (both gross and net revenue per patient were 30% to 40% higher).*
Another study indicated that licensed and non-licensed therapy providers spent less time with each patient in physician owned clinics and physical therapy assistants were substituted for physical therapists.**
We believe that we can provide you with the highest quality of care available and do it in a cost-effective manner.*** You will work closely with your physical therapist and in most instances, your case will be managed by the same physical therapist from the beginning to the end of your time with us.
* Mitchell, J., Scott, E., Physician Ownership of Physical Therapy Services: Effects on Charges, Utilization, Profits, and Service Characteristics, Journal of the American Medical Association, 1992.
** “Joint Ventures Among Health Care Providers in Florida,” State of Florida Health Care Cost Containment Board, 1991.
*** Federal Office of the Inspector General May 1, 2006 – This report calls into question billing processes done by non-physical therapist owned practices.
The cost for a 60-minute treatment session is $200 and the cost for a 30-minute treatment session is $125 for self-pay patients. The coverage may differ, based on your specific plan if you are going through insurance. We frequently offer payment plans to ensure that cost is not an impediment to improving your health.
You will be evaluated and treated by a licensed and highly trained physical therapist. Unlike some clinics, where you see someone different each visit, we feel it is very important to develop a one-on-one relationship. This helps to maintain continuity of care and may contribute to a more efficient recovery process.
For many patients, one of the primary objectives is pain relief. This is frequently accomplished with hands-on techniques. Movement often provides pain relief as well. Your physical therapist will provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance.
In some cases, physical therapy techniques can be painful. For example, recovering knee range of motion after total knee replacement or shoulder range of motion after shoulder surgery may be painful. Your physical therapist will utilize a variety of techniques to help maximize your treatment goals. It is important that you communicate the intensity, frequency, and duration of pain to your therapist. Otherwise, it is difficult for the therapist to adjust your treatment plan.
Flare ups (exacerbations) are not uncommon. If this happens, give us a call. We may suggest you come back to see us, refer you back to your doctor, or simply modify your daily activities or exercise routine.
The patient portion, whether that’s self pay or insurance based, is collected the day of service.
Billing your insurance for physical therapy services is similar to what happens at other medical offices. When you are seen for treatment, the following occurs:
- The physical therapist bills your insurance company, Workers’ Comp, or charges you based on Common Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes.
- Those codes are transferred to a billing form that is either mailed or electronically communicated to the payer.
- The payer processes this information and makes payments according to an agreed upon fee schedule.
- An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is generated and sent to the patient and the physical therapy clinic with a check for payment and a balance due by the patient.
- The patient is expected to make the payment on the balance if any.
It is important to understand that there are many small steps (beyond the outline provided above) within the process. Exceptions are common to the above example as well. At any time along the way, information may be missing, miscommunicated, or misunderstood. This can delay the payment process. While it is common for the payment process to be completed in 60 days or less, it is not uncommon for the physical therapy clinic to receive payment as long as six months after the treatment date.
Some patients will need to continue with home exercises. Some may choose to continue with a gym exercise program. Others will complete their rehabilitation and return to normal daily activities. It is important that you communicate your goals to your therapist, so a custom program can be developed for you.
We do offer free consultations. You can get in touch in person (discovery visit) or via telephone consultation. It will only cost you your time. This may help you determine if you are appropriate for physical therapy and/or if Journey Physical Therapy is a good fit for you.
At our Roscoe Village location, easy street parking is available on Belmont or any adjacent side streets. There are a couple restrictions if parking directly on Belmont Street:
- No parking on the SOUTH side of Belmont Street from 7am-9am
- No parking on the NORTH side of Belmont Street from 4pm-6pm
