Questions to Ask When Looking for Physical Rehab Institutions

Looking for a physical therapy rehabilitation center can be a little bit like shopping for an auto body shop. Simply getting estimates of cost of therapy, however, is a strategy best left for fender benders. When it comes to your body and health, asking the right questions will help you not only save money but also ensure quality and ease your recovery.

How Experienced is My Therapist?

• Make sure that anyone who is treating you is licensed in your state. In addition, ask about the level of education your physical therapist has obtained. Many physical therapists are now graduating with Ph.D.s and receive specialized training long before treating their first patient.

What Are the Hours of Operation?

• Most rehabilitation clinics that operate on an outpatient basis keep normal business hours. However, more and more clinics are addressing the fact that it can be hard to get away from work to attend a therapy session and are extending normal hours of operation in order to work around your schedule. Also, ask about rescheduling and walk-in policies if your life requires a certain amount of flexibility.

Who Will be Treating Me?

• Many outpatient and inpatient clinics utilize PTAs (physical therapy assistants) to help the physical therapist with the patient caseload. The PTA works under the supervision of the therapist and will likely be administering much of the treatment you receive at the clinic. PTAs generally have less education and training than physical therapists do, so if you are not comfortable being treated by a PTA, ask whether you can receive treatment directly from the therapist herself.

How Old is the Equipment?

• The condition of the facility and equipment will go a long way in telling you about how much the rehabilitation center cares about ensuring that you are benefiting from the industry's latest and most up-to-date advancements in physical therapy technology.

Will You Work With My Insurance Carrier?

• If you have medical insurance, find out if the clinic of your choice is a provider in your network and what, if any, responsibility you have in ensuring that the insurance company pays the clinic. Most therapy clinics now operate much like your doctor's office and will directly work with your insurance provider to ensure that payment is made. Also, ask whether you will need a referral from a doctor before you can obtain physical therapy, as some insurance providers and physical therapists still require this before treatment can be initiated.