Did you know that you DO NOT need a prescription from your doctor for a physical therapy evaluation in the State of Michigan?
It’s True! And, it’s called Direct Access (DA). DA is a law effective beginning January 1, 2015 that allowed anyone within the state of Michigan to see your physical therapist for up to 21 days or 10 treatment visits without needing a prescription from a physician. In some cases your insurance provider may still require you to get a referral, and in these cases Health Source will facilitate this process for you.
Why is this great for you? Three big reasons:
1) It saves you time by getting on the path to recovery quicker.
2) It saves you money by reducing excess medical visits needed on your path to recovery.
3) Better outcomes and greater satisfaction.
Is it safe? Yes, it is safe. Physical therapists are highly educated, and now, all graduates are required to have a doctorate degree: DPT – Doctor of Physical Therapy. Physical Therapists are amongst the highest trained professionals to evaluate and address your aches & pains. Our thorough evaluations will determine if physical therapy is the best course for you, or if you may need imaging or a referral to physicians/specialists. As usual, we will continue to work closely with your doctor to provide the best possible care for you. And when necessary, we will always refer back to your physician if we believe further diagnostic tests or investigations are needed.
Will insurance cover my physical therapy without a prescription? A majority of health insurances cover the Initial Evaluation, but there are always exceptions – we can check this for you. Some insurance carriers may require a prescription from your physician in order for them to approve coverage for further physical therapy sessions. As always, Health Source can verify coverage prior to treatment and assist with required communications in order for you to focus on your recovery.
Will Direct Access to my physical therapist cost me more? No, there is no additional cost, and insurance companies will continue to cover as normal. We will work with you and your physician to make sure you have what you need for your insurance coverage.
At the end of the day, we’re by no means recommending you avoid your primary care physician altogether. But, in cases when you know physical therapy is what you need, isn’t it better to get straight to the source right away?
Ready to get started? Call 517-647-1000 to find out if we are the right fit for each other. You can also get started telling us a bit about your story here.
