What Is Direct Access?

question-manDirect Access. Have you heard this term being thrown around lately? Seen it in newspapers and magazines? Do you know what that means? Allow me to simplify this term. Anyone in California, may now walk into a physical therapist and be treated for whatever back, hip, leg, arm, or other body part injury without stopping to get a prescription from their primary physician. A physical therapist will be able to treat 12 visits or 45 calendar days before patients need to see a physician. But, in 90% of cases, patients don’t require further treatment.

Before January 2014, this was not the case. If you were in California, you had to see your doctor and get a prescription before seeing a physical therapist. Insurance or cash patient, makes no difference. This is HUGE in the medical community, and we may continue to see the ripple effect for several months to come. A major benefit for you, is time and money savings. No extra copays to your doctor’s office, no extra day off from work to get into the appoinment. I can’t tell you how many times I have had random pains from running, and come in to see one of our physical therapists, learned what my issue was, exercises to strengthen the particular area, and within a week, I was noticeably improved and back to running pain free! I would encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity. Take care of your body now, and it will take care of you later!

Read more:

http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/NewsNow/2013/10/11/CA/

Andrew Vertson

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