Do I need a doctor’s referral to receive treatment?
The ability to visit a physical therapist without a prescription or referral is called Direct Access. Don’t have a prescription for physical therapy? No problem!
Direct Access allows you to go directly to a physical therapist without the need for a physician's prescription or referral. All fifty states and the District of Columbia have made a ruling enabling patients “direct access” to physical therapy services and programs.
In other words, the government made it acceptable for individuals to go straight to a physical therapy clinic of their choice and receive the resources and treatment they require.
Can I go to any physical therapy clinic?
Yes! Thanks to Direct Access laws, you can visit any Physical Therapy Location with or without a Physician Referral! The APTA’s website states, “Direct access means the removal of the physician referral mandated by state law to access physical therapist services for evaluation and treatment. Every state, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands allow for evaluation and some form of treatment without a physician referral.” To clarify, this means you can choose what clinic you want to receive treatment from without having to wait for your primary care doctor to refer you to them. No referral or prescription is necessary! Click Here to Learn More About Direct Access!
What if I don’t have insurance?
If you don’t have insurance, that’s okay. Our clinic will never turn a patient away for this reason! For patients who do not have insurance, we offer a discounted fee due at the time of service. Please contact our Knoxville, TN clinic and speak to our front desk about costs and setting up payment plans.
Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?
We understand that dealing with insurance can be complicated; therefore, Forward Physical Therapy would gladly assist you in contacting your insurance carrier and assessing your coverage depending on your specific policy.
Insurance will, in most situations, pay a significant amount, if not all, of your treatment costs.
Visit our insurance plans page for additional information, and please do not hesitate to contact our physical therapy office. For your convenience, we provide a variety of payment alternatives.
What office policies should I be aware of?
If you are unable to make it to your appointment due to illness or another emergency, our clinic requests that you call us at least X hours before your scheduled appointment time to let us know. Any missed appointments that have not been rescheduled at least X hours in advance will result in a non-refundable charge of X dollars.
We also ask that if you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, please reschedule your appointment with our front desk so that we can maintain a safe, healthy environment for our patients and employees.
How can I make an appointment?
Scheduling an appointment at Forward Physical Therapy in Knoxville, TN is easier than ever! Our scheduling is easy, and we offer a convenient location and appointment times for you. We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule. Call us today at (865) 357-5088 or click here to request an appointment.
How long does each appointment last?
Although every patient is different, the initial session usually lasts 1 hour 15 minutes. After that, each session could last 45-60 minutes.
The length of time will be determined by your unique needs, which our therapist will discuss with you. To begin, you'll probably see your therapist once or twice a week, with your appointments becoming more spaced out as you proceed through treatment.
What should I do to prepare for my first appointment?
Please give us a call to verify your insurance benefits. We will try to provide you with an estimate of coverage.
To prepare for your first appointment, please do the following:
- Print out the patient forms, fill them out, and bring them with you if you are able. If you cannot do this or do not have access to a printer/computer, please allow for extra time to fill these out upon your arrival.
- Arrive 15 minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork to maximize your time in your evaluation.
- Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your problem areas.
- Bring your insurance information for us to make a copy for your file.
- If you have a prescription (if needed) for physical therapy from your referring physician, ARNP, or PA, please bring that as well.
- In case of an automobile accident or worker’s compensation claim, bring any case manager or insurance adjuster's contact names, phone numbers, and claim number.
How is my progress measured?
Tracking your pain and mobility levels as you go through your physical therapy program is the most visible approach to gauge your improvement and progress. You should notice a significant improvement in your discomfort and range of motion as you progress through your rehabilitation exercises.