FAQ

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapists (PTs) are health providers that specialize in movement and function. They work to optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and education. PTs help people to recover after injury or surgery and also help prevent injury and relieve chronic pain by improving mobility, flexibility, and strength, and function. While hands-on treatment is often a big part of initial treatment, the ultimate goal of PT is to teach people how to manage their condition independently so that they receive long-term health benefits and are no longer reliant on regular PT care.

PTs are body experts. They receive years of advanced training in all types of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. There are many different specialties within physical therapy, some of which include sports medicine, orthopedics, wound care, chronic pain, neurological, cardiorespiratory, pediatrics, and pelvic health or women's health. PTs work in hospitals, clinics, home care, corporate wellness centers, schools, mobile, and telehealth settings.

Do I need a referral from my primary doctor?

No, New York state has direct access to physical therapy. This means you do not need a physician referral to see a physical therapist for up to 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first. After that you will need a referral or prescription to continue with care.

The good news is that I expect most patients to be independent with their home program and no longer needing to see me by then! However, if you do, I can contact your physician on your behalf to discuss continuing with our plan of care. If I determine that your condition warrants further examination or that physical therapy is not indicated, I will refer you to your primary care physician.

Do you accept my insurance?

I am not contracted with any insurance companies. This means that I can see you as soon as possible and we can continue treatment without interruption because no pre-authorization or re-authorization is required!

Insurance company policies make it incredibly difficult to deliver the quality of care that I am committed to providing and that I believe you deserve. I have worked with insurance companies in multiple environments and 4 different states for more than 15 years. They dictate the number and frequency of your visits, the type of treatment the PT can provide, and the amount they will pay for it. Declining insurance reimbursements is one of the reasons that the majority of clinics are unable to offer comprehensive one-on-one appointments.

Some PTs book 4-6 patients per hour for this reason. Because of this, you spend a lot of your valuable time waiting in the clinic and sharing your treatment time. If physical therapy hasn't worked for you in the past, it is likely due to this model.

Can I submit to my insurance for reimbursement?

If you have out of network (OON) benefits with your insurance company then you may be able to get reimbursed for all or part of your time with me. I will provide you with a detailed invoice that contains the same diagnosis and treatment codes that I would use if I were seeing you in the clinic under your insurance. You can then submit that claim to your insurance company. If you have a deductible, this may be able to count towards that as well.

Some insurance companies may not reimburse for Video Visits or Telehealth, even if they will reimburse for in-person visits. You will need to check with your insurance company to see if this is covered. If it isn't, please emphasize why this is important to you as a beneficiary. Pressure from customers can help to get policies changed!

What if I have Medicare?

Medicare rules are a little more complex. Since I am not a participating provider with Medicare, I am unable to treat you for anything that Medicare deems to be medically necessary. However, I am able to see you for general wellness services. This may include exercise to improve fitness or minimizing risk of injury while doing recreational activities or hobbies.

This is something you and I will need to discuss to determine your eligibility. If your condition qualifies as medically necessary I will help you to find a participating Medicare provider.

How can I pay for my visit?

I accept cash, personal check, VISA, American Express, Mastercard, Discover card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, HSA, and FSA cards.

All payment is due at time of service.

Do you accept HSA and FSA cards?

Yes! As a licensed healthcare provider I am set up to accept Health Spending Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards.

How long does each visit last?

Our initial visit will likely last somewhere between 60-90 minutes, depending on what we are addressing. Follow-up visits will last between 30-60 minutes. I want you to be in control of your care so I prefer for you to choose what works best for you. In some circumstances, I may provide guidance as to why I feel we need more time or can get everything accomplished in less.

What is your cancellation policy?

I require at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule any appointment. When you schedule an appointment with me you are making a commitment to your health and I am making a commitment to dedicate time specifically for you.

If you repeatedly cancel or reschedule with less than 24 hours notice I may terminate our agreement. If I have held an appointment slot for you that means that I have planned other appointments and drive times around it. Repeated disruption interferes not only with your care, but with the care of others.

Do I need to clean my house before you come over?

No! I am not your nosy neighbor. I am not there to judge you on your housecleaning skills. I am there to help you get better. The whole reason you have contacted me may be because you are having trouble completing your usual daily tasks. I understand that.

The only thing I need is enough space to set up my table and possibly space to get down on the floor, depending on what we are covering with the examination and exercises.

What if I smoke or allow smoking in my home?

I have a policy that I do not work in a smoking environment. As a health-conscious provider, I do not put myself at risk of second-hand smoke exposure and it is disrespectful to my other patients to arrive with clothing that smells of smoke.

Can my children be home?

Absolutely! This is one of the key benefits of Mobile PT. I come to you so that you don't have to get childcare and drive to the clinic.

What if I have pets?

Because some of my other patients may have allergies, I ask that your pets be kept in another room during our session. This minimizes the chance of me getting any fur or dander on my clothing before I move on to someone else's home. It also ensures that our session is not disrupted by a curious pet.

What should I wear?

You should wear loose, comfortable clothing. If it is necessary for you to wear something else (such as shorts to be able to examine your knee), I will let you know before our appointment.

Do I need exercise equipment?

No. I will bring weights, bands, and balls with me. Most of the home exercises that I give you will be body-weight exercises. If you need exercise bands I will provide them and that is included in your session fee. If you already have weights or equipment that you use regularly we can incorporate those into your routine.

Can I book back-to-back sessions for me and a family member?

Absolutely! Mobile sessions booked back-to-back at the same location will receive a 10% discount due to elimination of travel time and set-up between visits.

How does it work to meet me at my workplace or gym?

One of the benefits of Mobile PT is being able to meet you wherever you are! This can be beneficial because we can talk about specific factors that may be contributing to your current issue. Sometimes those factors stem from your work station or your gym workout. In order for me to meet you at your work or gym you will need to get permission from your employer or gym owner for me to be on site.

Can I book a Video Visit from anywhere?

You can book a Wellness or Pilates visit from anywhere. But I cannot provide physical therapy diagnosis or treatment outside of New York state.

My practice act requires me to be licensed in the state that YOU are in to provide Physical Therapy services. I am currently licensed in New York. This means that in order for me to see you for a Video Visit you must be in New York at the time of the visit.

If you live in New York but go on vacation to Florida, I cannot see you for a Video Visit until you are back in New York. So if you are a snow-bird and want to start treatment, we will have to take a break while you are gone south and resume when you return. If you really need to be seen during that time, I have a network of both Mobile and Telehealth PTs across the country that I can put you in touch with.

What do I need for an E-Visit

For a Video Visit you will need a mobile device such as a computer, tablet, or phone with internet capabilities and a working microphone. A computer or tablet are the best options, because of the screen size. Especially for the initial visit where you may need to see a bit more.

You will need a space set up where you can prop your device and step away because I will be asking you to move around during the examination. This may include sitting, standing, or getting on to the floor, depending on what we are working on.

Once our appointment is set, I will send you a link to where you will click to log in to our secure, encrypted virtual meeting space. And just like magic...PT from anywhere!

Do I need equipment to book a Pilates session?

Ideally you should have a Pilates mat if working on a hard surface, but a thinner Yoga mat is fine if you are working on a softer surface, like carpet. You do not need any other equipment or props, but if you have some that you like we can definitely incorporate them.

I will bring small props with me like balls, bands, and Pilates rings. If you need recommendations for a mat or other equipment, I can provide you a link to purchase online or you can purchase from me and I will bring it with me when I come.