1. Exercise your access.

• California law allows any patient to choose to the physical therapist of his or her choice with a physician’s referral.

2. Look for a qualified specialist.

• Studies have shown that being treated by a therapist who has advanced education or experience can actually decrease the number of visits you may need.

3. Ask questions. A qualified therapist should be able to provide answers to the following questions:

• What is my diagnosis?b.
• physical therapy the best treatment for my condition?
• How much time does this condition usually take to get better?
• How much better should I expect to get by the end of treatment?
• Is my health insurance going to cover my treatment?

4. Understand your prognosis.

• Your therapist should be able to explain your injury/condition to you and what your outcome possibilities are thoroughly.

5. Understand the term of your treatment.

• Each person and injury is unique; however, there are standards and protocols for the number of visits required for each type of injury.

6. Do your exercises.

• Research shows that most patients respond much better when clinical therapy is combined with home exercises.

7. Embrace the goals of your therapy:

• Your therapist’s intent is to help you regain your independence, educate you about your condition, share self-treatment methods, and emphasize a strong wellness component for injury prevention in the future.

8. To ensure great communication, always ask your therapist any questions you have regarding your care.


9. Determine Your Payer Source Eligibility:

• Before you begin therapy, be sure the physical therapy clinic you select will accept your health care insurance and to determine if your eligibility requirements are met. All insurances require that you have need of skilled care and that there be a reasonable expectation of improvement in your current health status as a result of your therapy.