Outpatient Therapy Service FAQ’s:

• Do I need a referral from my doctor to attend therapy sessions?
The state of Missouri requires a doctor’s prescription or referral in order for treatment from a therapist to begin. Clients can contact their doctors to request a referral or script. Often, the doctor will prefer to see the client in his/her office prior to writing a script for therapy.
Scripts can then be faxed to our office at 314/754-9317 or brought in by the client at the first appointment.

• Will my insurance cover therapy?
Everyone’s insurance coverage is different. We currently are in network with several insurance providers and are constantly working to expand our list. Our business office will contact the client’s insurance provider to verify coverage and explain the benefits at the first visit.

• Do I need to contact my insurance company?
While it is important for every person to educate themselves on their own insurance plan, our business office will do all necessary pre-certifications and verification of coverage.

• How much will my therapy cost me?
Everyone’s insurance coverage is different. If the client’s insurance requires a co-pay, payment will be expected at each visit. If the client’s insurance requires a co-insurance, the amount owed by the client will be billed at the termination of services.

• What if I have questions about coverage and billing?
Our business office is happy to answer any question regarding billing or insurance coverage. Please call 314/725-5600 and ask for the outpatient billing department.

• How do I schedule appointments?
After obtaining a referral from the doctor, a client or client representative can call 314/726-5600 to set up an “initial outpatient therapy appointment”. The receptionist will ask questions regarding the client’s insurance and contact information. Initial evaluations are commonly scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays, however, if these days are inconvenient, other arrangements can be made. Subsequent visits will be scheduled once the therapist has performed the evaluation and the frequency and duration of therapy has been established.

• What can I expect during my first visit?
During the first visit, called the initial evaluation, the therapist will ask the client to complete a Patient Information Sheet and Medical History Form. This information is vital in assisting the therapist to gather the pertinent information needed in order to devise a plan of care specific to the client’s needs. The therapist will also ask questions about the client’s injury, pain, or problem. Guided by these questions, the therapist will perform a physical evaluation which may consist of testing muscle strength and length, assessing posture and walking, or testing balance. The findings of this evaluation will guide the therapist in devising a plan of care specific to the client, which will then be discussed and agreed upon.

• What if I don’t agree with my plan of care?
The therapist devises the plan of care using his/her training, experience, and professional opinion. The therapist’s goal is to assist the client to reach their goals. If a treatment suggestion makes the client uncomfortable, the therapist and client will work together to devise a plan of care that is appropriate and comfortable.

• Does everyone do the same thing in therapy?
Everyone’s therapy is different. The activities completed in therapy are based on the findings of the tests and measures performed during the initial evaluation, evidence of efficacy for the specific problems or injuries, and the client’s goals for recovery. With some surgeries, the surgeons provide protocols for the therapist to follow in order to avoid injury and promote healing while returning to function.

• Will I do the same thing at every therapy session?
Each session will be guided by the client’s response to the previous session, the body’s response to the previous session, and the progression towards the goals.

• How long will I need to take therapy?
The length of therapy varies for each client and depends mostly upon their expectations, their rate of recovery, goals, motivation level and compliance. It also depends upon the therapist’s professional opinion, the doctor’s recommendations, and insurance guidelines. In general, a client can expect to be in therapy for approximately 4 weeks.

• How should I dress for therapy?
If at all possible, clients should come to therapy in comfortable clothing and athletic shoes. Often, clients will be asked to lie down, kneel, ride a bike, walk on a treadmill or take off their shoes. Dresses and skirts may be inappropriate for the tasks. The therapist will inform the client if a specific item of clothing will be needed for the next treatment session.

• What if I am unable to attend my scheduled therapy session?
Clients should call immediately if a therapy session needs to be canceled or rescheduled. Three consecutive cancellations, or a prolonged absence from therapy will result in discharge from the therapy.

• Once I’ve been discharged from therapy, can I come back?
If a client would like to return to therapy after being discharged, a referral or script will need to be obtained from the doctor and the same process occurs as for the first therapy session.