Do I need a doctor’s referral to receive treatment?

• Thanks to Direct Access, you do not need a doctor’s referral or prescription to receive treatment from a physical therapist. Direct Access is the legal right that enables patients in all fifty states and the District of Columbia to access physical therapy services and programs directly.

• Do keep in mind that Direct Access does not apply to insurance carriers, who may require a referral or prescription. Reach out to your insurance provider to confirm the details.

Can I go to any physical therapy clinic I want?

• Absolutely! According to “The Patient’s Bill of Rights” law, you can choose what physical therapy clinic you want for your care. While physicians or insurance carriers may recommend a specific clinic, you are not obligated to follow their suggestions. Your fundamental patient rights protect your ability to make informed decisions about your treatment and ensure you are treated with respect and confidentiality.

How can I make an appointment?

• At Witcorf Physical Therapy, we understand the importance of flexibility and convenience when it comes to managing your healthcare needs. That’s why we’ve made scheduling an appointment a seamless and hassle-free experience. With various appointment times, including morning and evening options, we’re committed to accommodating your busy schedule.

• To book your appointment, give us a call at (786) 706-1705 or click here to request an appointment through our user-friendly online platform. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you and answer any questions.

How is my progress measured?

• We’ll look at objective measurements of your physical capabilities, including specific tests of fitness such as the following:

  • Heart rate and blood pressure

  • Range of motion

  • Strength (i.e., power, speed, endurance)

  • Functional mobility

  • Coordination and agility

• We’ll also look at impairments that can impact your comfort and physical ability, including the following:

  • Pain

  • Swelling

  • Weakness

  • Loss of motion

  • Paresthesias (prickling or tingling sensations)

• Functional limitations are the final piece of the puzzle. These limitations affect your ability to do everyday tasks like the following:

  • Sitting

  • Standing

  • Squatting and lunging

  • Walking and stepping up and down

  • Running and jumping

• By tracking your overall fitness markers, physical impairments, and functional abilities throughout the course of your treatment, our physical therapists have an objective picture of your progress, allowing us to adjust your treatment plan accordingly. However, we also want to hear from you. Your feedback and personal assessments are an invaluable part of this process, as they help us more fully understand your improvements, regressions, or stagnation. If your therapy deviates from its expected path, our therapists will reassess the situation and make necessary adjustments or recommendations for further evaluation or treatments. Our ultimate goal is to help you notice tangible improvements in your performance, functionality, and overall well-being. Tracking your impairments, limitations, and progress are all key to accomplishing that goal. You can trust our evidence-based expertise to help you achieve your sports and fitness goals!

How long is each appointment going to be?

• Appointment durations vary based on individual needs. That said, initial sessions typically last between 1 hour and 1 hour and 15 minutes. Subsequent sessions generally range from 45-75 minutes.

• Generally speaking, your therapist will want to see you more often in the early stages of your therapy, as this will help them assess your progress and confirm you’re on the right treatment plan. 

• Our therapists will work with you to determine the best length and frequency of your appointments to ensure your optimal progress.

Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?

• We understand that navigating insurance can be complex, which is why our team at Witcorf Physical Therapy is here to help answer your questions and provide guidance. We recommend contacting your insurance carrier to confirm coverage based on your specific policy.

• You can also visit our insurance plans page for more information or contact us directly for assistance.

• For your convenience, we provide a variety of payment alternatives.

What if I do not have insurance?

• We believe that everyone deserves access to quality care, regardless of their insurance status. For patients without insurance, we offer cash-based options and payment plans payable at the time of service. Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss costs and payment arrangements.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

• We understand that sometimes circumstances make attending your scheduled appointment difficult or impossible. In the event of illness or an emergency, please notify our clinic at least 24 hours before your appointment time to avoid any inconvenience.

What should I do to prepare for my first appointment?

• To help you prepare for your first visit, read over this list of essential items and information, all of which will help maximize your time during your initial visit:

• If you’re using insurance, please have your insurance information available when you call us to schedule your appointment.

  • Bring your insurance information (we will make a copy of your card) if you plan to use insurance for your treatment.

• Complete our online patient forms, print them out, and bring them to your appointment. If you’re unable to do so or lack access to a printer/computer, please arrive early to complete these forms at our office.

• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment to finalize any remaining paperwork and ensure a timely start to your evaluation.

• Wear comfortable clothing that provides easy access to the areas requiring treatment.

•  

• Provide any relevant referrals, prescriptions, and test results from your referring physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

• Regarding automobile accidents or worker’s compensation claims, please bring the contact information for your case manager or insurance adjuster and the claim number.

What kind of clothing should I wear for appointments?

• You can expect to move when you come into an appointment at Witcorf Physical Therapy! For that reason, it’s important to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and appropriate footwear, such as sneakers or athletic shoes.

What office policies should I be aware of?

• It’s important that you understand our office policies so you can focus on your physical therapy, not administrative concerns. Please take note of the following policies:

  • Appointment cancellation policy: We understand that sometimes appointments need to be rescheduled or canceled. Please let us know at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

  • Payment policy: Payment is due at the time of service. We accept various forms of payment, including cash, check, and credit card. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about payment.

  • Insurance policy: We accept most insurance plans and will work with you to ensure that you receive the best possible care within the confines of your insurance coverage. Please bring your insurance card to your appointment, and let us know if you have any questions about your coverage.

  • Privacy policy: We take your privacy seriously and follow strict HIPAA guidelines to ensure the confidentiality of your personal and medical information. Please let us know if you have any concerns about your privacy or would like to review our privacy policy.

  • Arrival policy: Please arrive on time for your appointment to ensure you receive your session’s full benefit. If you arrive late, we may need to reschedule your appointment or adjust the length of your session to accommodate other patients.

  • Communication policy: We encourage open and honest communication with our patients and welcome any questions or concerns you may have about your treatment plan or progress. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to improve your experience.

  • COVID-19 policy: If you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, 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 pay for each session?

• Our policy is to collect payment at the time of service to ensure a seamless experience for all patients. We also provide payment options based on your unique circumstances and accept various methods of payment, including the following:

  • Cash

  • Check

  • Credit card

  • Debit card

• If you have insurance, please contact your provider to better understand your coverage, copayments/coinsurance, and overall plan requirements. Our staff will also assess your benefits and inform you of your payments at each visit.

When will I start to see results?

• We know how anxious you are to see the results of your therapy. Unfortunately, there isn’t any one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Your timeline can vary based on your health and fitness levels when you started, whether or not you’re recovering from an injury, the severity of your condition, and much more. It’s also important to understand that physical therapy, as a rule, is not a quick fix but a process that takes time, effort, and dedication. You may start to feel some improvement in your symptoms after a few sessions, but it may take weeks or even months to achieve optimal results. We can guarantee that our therapists will explain the process to you every step of the way. We’ll keep detailed records of your condition, symptoms, treatments, and overall progress to ensure you’re advancing the way we expect. If something isn’t working, we’ll work to find a solution that does. If you have any questions about your treatment plan or physical therapy timeline, please do not hesitate to discuss them with our experts. The more we know about your experience with treatment, the better we can tailor our approach to maximize your efforts!

Do treatments hurt?

• If you exercise regularly, you’re likely familiar with the concept of “good” pain (such as muscles burning from fatigue) and “bad” pain (such as a sharp, shooting pain in your joint). Physical therapy operates in much the same way. While our physical therapists are not purposefully trying to hurt you, there may be times when a treatment triggers a temporary pain response. But like a fatigued muscle, that pain response is a normal part of the process. A bit of pain now will lead to improved movement in the long term. It’s especially important to keep the concept of normal versus abnormal pain in mind if you’re recovering from surgery. You’ll likely experience some pain as you work to restore strength and range of motion in your recuperating muscles–but this type of pain will ultimately reduce your overall pain levels and promote your mobility. Similarly, you may have begun avoiding specific movements if you’re experiencing imbalances or impairments in your musculoskeletal system. As you start to perform those movements again, you may experience some initial discomfort. It’s vital that you communicate any pain or other sensations you experience during treatment to your physical therapist. This information helps us fully understand your progress and allows us to make necessary adjustments or other modifications.