FAQs

There are 2 ways to begin your physical therapy:

1. Prescription/Referral: Your doctor will give you a written prescription for physical therapy. If you have an HMO, you will also get a specialist referral.
2. Direct Access: We are excited to announce the key changes to direct access for physical therapy in Virginia. These changes empower patients to take control of their healthcare by allowing them to seek physical therapy treatment without a prior referral from a physician or other healthcare provider.

Here’s what you need to know:

• • Eliminating Initial Physician Referral Requirement: Patients can now directly initiate physical therapy treatment. This means you no longer have to wait for a referral from a physician, which could cause unnecessary delays in receiving the care you need. With direct access, you can immediately seek the expertise of physical therapists for evaluation and treatment.Provisional Period for Therapy: Virginia law may specify a specific timeframe, typically ranging from 30 to 60 days, within which you must obtain a physician’s referral to continue therapy beyond the initial period. This ensures that there is oversight and collaboration with healthcare providers for extended treatment plans. The provisional period allows you to begin therapy right away while still maintaining the necessary connection with physicians.Scope of Practice and Therapist Qualifications: The law outlines specific qualifications and scopes of practice for physical therapists operating under direct access. This ensures that the therapists providing care have the necessary experience and certifications to assess and treat patients safely and effectively. You can have peace of mind knowing that the therapists you work with are well-equipped to provide the care you need.
  • Patient Education and Informed Consent: Physical therapists are required to inform you about the nature of direct access services, including the benefits and any limitations. Before treatment begins, you must provide informed consent, acknowledging your understanding of the direct access process. This ensures that you are fully aware of the treatment you will receive and can actively participate in your own healthcare journey.
  • Collaboration with Healthcare Providers: While direct access gives you autonomy in seeking physical therapy treatment, it is still encouraged for physical therapists to communicate with your primary care physician or relevant healthcare provider. The Therapy Network makes this easy by contacting your physician on your behalf or by referring you to another physician. This ensures a coordinated care approach, especially for patients with complex medical histories or ongoing healthcare needs. By collaborating with other healthcare providers, physical therapists can provide comprehensive care tailored to your unique situation.

If your doctor knows the therapists at The Therapy Network and has a specific treatment in mind, they will tell you precisely what TTN clinic to visit. TTN has many specialized therapists, and your doctor knows you will get the best treatment with that therapist. If your prescription has another outpatient physical therapy company’s name, you do NOT have to go to that clinic. As long as you have a valid prescription for physical therapy, you can choose what out patient group to use for treatment. TTN is known throughout Hampton Roads for its personalized therapy treatment plans for its patients. Our professional team customizes your care to fit your needs.

A valid doctor’s prescription for physical therapy includes the doctor’s orders for physical therapy and the duration of those orders. You must use your prescription within 30 days of its original date to ensure its medical validity. You may have to go back to your doctor if you have a prescription over 30 days old. Your treatment will progress better if you go to see your therapist right away after receiving your physical therapy prescription.

The Therapy Network is a separate company from your doctor’s office. The Therapy Network provides outpatient physical therapy for many different doctors in the Tidewater area. TTN is a specialist in outpatient physical therapy, and that is how your insurance company sees them. TTN is very proud of our high level of communication with your physician during your treatment.

There are four options for coverage of your physical therapy bills:

1. 3rd Party Insurance: The person who caused the accident will have insurance that could cover a portion of your physical therapy costs. The Therapy Network’s front desk associates can assist you with gathering all the information needed if you are using 3rd party insurance.
2. Attorney Lien: Some people choose to ask an attorney for advice. The attorney may take their case and have an attorney lien signed by the patient. A lien is a contract that states the attorney will reimburse The Therapy Network if there is a settlement in the case. If there is no settlement, the patient is responsible for the balance.
3. Self-Pay: The patient may pay for their physical therapy treatment outright.
4. Your Insurance: TTN accepts most major insurances and will verify your benefits before starting your therapy.

Initial evaluations will take no more than 2 hours. Your initial visit includes an extensive interview on your living/work environment and how that affects your musculoskeletal condition. Depending on your condition, the appointment following the first assessment could take one hour. Some diagnoses necessitate a longer per-visit treatment time. Your therapist will explain this in detail to you during your first visit.

Please bring:

• Your physical therapy prescription
• A photo ID card
• Your current insurance card(s)

You will need information about your injury, work, and emergency contact information. Wear comfortable clothes, as you will be examined and led through possible exercises. Your co-payments will be collected at each appointment.

The initial evaluation is an excellent place to bring an adult member of your family for additional information or assistance into the clinic. After your first visit, we request that you have your adult family member wait for you in the reception area. Unattended children are not allowed in the exercise areas for safety reasons. So you can concentrate on your therapy and recover, we strongly encourage patients to arrange for someone to provide childcare.

The Therapy Network participates with the following insurances and benefit plans:

• Aetna
• Anthem – BCBS, BCBS FEP, HEALTHKEEPERS, Mediblue
• Cigna
• Humana
• Mailhandlers
• Medicare Part B, Medicare Railroad
• Private Health Care Systems (PHCS)
• Tricare – Select, Prime, and Tricare For Life
• Virginia Medicaid (As a SECONDARY ONLY to Medicare)
• United Healthcare