800.481.4582
Find A Local Physical Therapy Now
One of the most common questions we hear at Physical Therapy Now is:
“Do I need a referral from my doctor to start physical therapy?”
The answer depends on where you live and your insurance plan—but in many cases, the answer is: NO, you don’t!
Thanks to something called Direct Access, patients in many states can go straight to a licensed physical therapist without needing a physician’s referral. Direct Access means you have the legal right to seek evaluation and treatment from a physical therapist without a referral from a doctor or specialist. It’s designed to give patients quicker access to care—especially important when you’re in pain or recovering from an injury. As of now, all 50 U.S. states allow some form of Direct Access, although the rules vary slightly from state to state. Skipping the referral process can save you time (no waiting for another doctor’s appointment), start your recovery sooner and reduce out-of-pocket expenses,especially if a doctor visit would cost you extra. It puts you in control of your health and recovery without unnecessary delays.
Even though Direct Access is allowed in many cases, your insurance plan might still require a referral or prescription to approve coverage. Here’s when you might need one: If your insurance mandates a referral for reimbursement, if you’re covered by Medicare, which often requires documentation from your physician and if your state has restrictions. You don’t always need a doctor’s referral to start physical therapy—and that’s great news if you’re ready to feel better, move better, and get back to doing what you love. Thanks to Direct Access, many patients can begin treatment right away.
¨If you or someone you know might need physical therapy, please call us at 305-570-1633, or if you are interested in opening a Physical Therapy Franchise. Email us franchise@physicaltherapynow.com or visit our website at https://physicaltherapynow.com/franchise/¨
What you need to know before starting treatment. If you’re considering physical therapy to recover from an injury, manage chronic pain, or improve mobility, you might be wondering: “Is physical therapy covered by my insurance?” The good news is that in most cases, yes. Most major health insurance plans—including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers like Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield—do cover physical therapy services. Coverage usually depends on:
Medical necessity
A referral or prescription from your doctor
Your plan’s deductible and copayments
Depending on your insurance plan and state laws: Some plans require a referral from your primary care doctor or a specialist. Others allow direct access, meaning you can schedule an evaluation with a physical therapist without a referral. In the clinic, the front desk person always verifies your coverage and referral requirements before your first visit—so there are no surprises. If you don’t have insurance, that doesn’t mean you can’t get care. Here at Physical Therapy Now, we offer: Affordable self-pay rates, discounted therapy packages, flexible payment plans. Your health shouldn’t have to wait because of coverage issues. Our goal is to make your experience easy, affordable, and stress-free. If you’ve been putting off therapy because of insurance questions, we’re here to help.
Call your nearest Physical Therapy Now clinic and we’ll walk you through your benefits, coverage, and options—so you can start your recovery journey today.
¨If you or someone you know might need physical therapy, please call us at 305-570-1633, or if you are interested in opening a Physical Therapy Franchise. Email us franchise@physicaltherapynow.com or visit our website at https://physicaltherapynow.com/franchise/¨
As physical therapy evolves, many patients and providers alike wonder: Can physical therapists perform diagnostic services, particularly for Medicare patients? The short answer is yes — under specific conditions. Physical therapists can perform certain diagnostic tests on Medicare patients, but only if they are board certified in clinical electrophysiology by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). Additionally, the service must be permitted under the physical therapist’s state law.
Medicare (CMS) recognizes board-certified PTs to provide the following tests:
1. Electromyography (EMG)
This test measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to nerve stimulation of the muscle.
2. Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV)
Used to assess how fast electrical signals move through your peripheral nerves.
3. Sensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs)
Tests how the brain responds to sensory input like sight, sound, or touch — often used to evaluate neurological disorders.
Diagnostic testing like EMGs, NCVs, and SEPs can play a crucial role in identifying the source of pain or dysfunction — helping physical therapists create more targeted treatment plans. When performed by a board-certified clinical electrophysiology specialist, these services are recognized and reimbursable under Medicare, as long as your state law allows it. Physical therapists who are board certified in clinical electrophysiology have a unique opportunity to expand their scope of services by offering diagnostic testing such as EMGs, NCVs, and SEPs — with full recognition and reimbursement from Medicare, provided state laws permit it. These services not only support more precise treatment planning but also reinforce the role of physical therapists as key contributors in the diagnostic process.
¨If you or someone you know might need physical therapy, please call us at 305-570-1633, or if you are interested in opening a Physical Therapy Franchise. Email us franchise@physicaltherapynow.com or visit our website at www.physicaltherapynow/franchise¨
As a private practice owner who has chosen to operate out-of-network (OON) with insurance companies, one of the most important billing decisions you’ll face is whether to submit claims to insurers on behalf of your patients or provide them with a superbill for self-submission. If you decide to submit the claim yourself, you have two options: accept assignment or not accept assignment. Accepting assignment means the insurer pays you directly for the portion they cover, and the patient pays only their cost-sharing amount (copay or coinsurance). However, keep in mind that insurers aren’t required to honor assignment and may still send the payment to the patient. If you choose not to accept assignment, the patient pays your full rate upfront, and the insurer reimburses them directly for the covered portion—this is common with PPO plans but may not apply to Medicare Advantage or TRICARE plans. Alternatively, if you don’t want to submit any claims at all, you can either give the patient a superbill or simply charge your cash rate and provide no documentation for reimbursement. A superbill is an itemized receipt that includes essential details like diagnosis codes (ICD-10), service codes (CPT), charges, provider and therapist information, and patient identifiers. This allows the patient to seek reimbursement directly from their insurance carrier.
¨If you or someone you know might need physical therapy, please call us at 305-570-1633, or if you are interested in opening a Physical Therapy Franchise. Email us franchise@physicaltherapynow.com or visit our website at www.physicaltherapynow/franchise¨
Your body just did something incredible. But after pregnancy and childbirth, it’s totally normal to feel different. Maybe you’re dealing with back pain, pelvic pressure, etc. The good news? You don’t have to live with those symptoms—postpartum physical therapy can help.
Postpartum physical therapy focuses on helping your body recover from the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth. It’s not just for elite athletes or women recovering from C-sections, every new mom can benefit.
Think of it as rehab for your core, pelvic floor, posture, and movement patterns, all of which may have shifted during pregnancy.
You deserve to feel strong, confident, and supported in your body again. Pain, leaking, and core weakness aren’t things you just have to “live with” now that you’ve had a baby. postpartum physical therapy can help you:
• Move without pain
• Restore core and pelvic floor strength
• Feel more like yourself again
Whether your goal is to return to the gym, chase after toddlers, or simply sit and stand comfortably, Physical Therapy helps you get there.
¨If you or someone you know might need physical therapy, please call us at 800-481-4582, or if you are interested in opening a Physical Therapy Franchise. Email us franchise@physicaltherapynow.com or visit our website at www.physicaltherapynow/franchise¨
Improving posture is essential for reducing strain on the muscles, joints, and ligaments, which can help prevent pain and improve overall body alignment. Here are some practical tips and exercises you can follow to improve posture.
Awareness is key so start by becoming more mindful of your posture throughout the day. Whether you’re sitting, standing, or walking, pay attention to how your body is aligned.
Use Posture Check Reminders, set reminders on your phone or use sticky notes in your workspace to remind yourself to check and correct your posture every hour.
Choose a chair and sit with your back supporting the natural curve of your lower back. Sit with your feet flat on the floor, knees at a right angle, and avoid slumping or leaning forward. Sitting for long periods can lead to poor posture. Stand up, stretch, or walk around every 30-60 minutes to prevent stiffness and maintain good alignment. Proper sleep position benefit in your posture also.
Improving your posture takes time and consistency, but by incorporating these tips and exercises into your daily routine, you can build better posture habits and reduce the risk of discomfort or pain.
¨If you or someone you know might need physical therapy, please call us at 800-481-4582, or if you are interested in opening a Physical Therapy Franchise. Email us franchise@physicaltherapynow.com or visit our website at www.physicaltherapynow/franchise¨
Surgery is often seen as a last resort for injuries and chronic pain, but what if there was a way to heal and regain function without going under the knife? In many cases, physical therapy (PT) can help patients avoid surgery altogether by addressing the root cause of pain, improving mobility, and strengthening the body to support healing.
In this blog, we’ll explore how PT can be an effective alternative to surgery for common conditions, and when it’s worth considering before opting for an invasive procedure.
Surgery comes with risks—complications, long recovery times, and potential side effects. Physical therapy, on the other hand, is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and often safer alternative. Through hands-on techniques, therapeutic exercises, and modalities like heat, ice, and electrical stimulation, PT helps decrease pain without relying on painkillers or surgery. Weak muscles and poor biomechanics can contribute to injuries. PT targets these issues, improving strength and stability to prevent further damage. Instead of just treating symptoms, PT identifies underlying problems (such as poor posture or muscular imbalances) that, if corrected, can prevent the need for surgery.
¨If you or someone you know might need physical therapy. Please call us at 800-481-4582, or if you are interested in opening a Physical Therapy Franchise. Email us franchise@physicaltherapynow.com or visit our website at www.physicaltherapynow/franchise¨
1. Create a team of highly skilled clinicians: Ensuring that your Physical Therapy Now Franchise is staffed with a knowledgeable and skilled team of clinicians will help attract and keep loyal clients. Consider hiring certified medical professionals who specialize in physical therapy services and have experience in this field. 2. Establish a customer loyalty program: Reward loyal customers by offering discounts and incentives. This type of loyalty program will help keep clients coming back to your franchise and will provide your business with a steady stream of income. 3. Leverage technology: Staying up to date with technologies can help your physical therapy business become a leader in its industry. Implementing the best technologies and systems will help streamline administrative processes, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. 4. Offer packages and bundles: Offer packages to customers to maximize revenue. These packages may include specialized treatments customized for particular clients and discounted rates for multiple sessions.
5. Increase marketing efforts: Invest in marketing efforts to reach new clients and to increase brand awareness. Consider developing an online presence through social media platforms, content marketing, and search engine optimization in order to boost visibility and engagement. 6. Build relationships with other providers: Build relationships with other local healthcare providers such as chiropractors and therapists. This can help to create more referral opportunities and expand your reach to potential clients. 7. Develop an online presence: Having an online presence, including a website and social accounts, can help your Physical Therapy Now Franchise reach a larger audience and attract more clients. 8. Offer personalized treatment plans: Every patient is unique and personalizing treatment plans accordingly can help the physical therapist create a truly tailored experience. This could be in the form of lifestyle changes or home-exercise programs that will help the patient reach their goals.
Technology can be a powerful tool for any business. It can help your Physical Therapy Now Franchise increase the efficiency, reduce costs, improve customer service, and gain a competitive edge. Technology can also be used to automate your business process, streamline communication, and store and access data more quickly and easily. Technology can also make it easier for your Physical Therapy Now Franchise to reach new patients, build brand recognition, and generate leads. Finally, technology can help your franchise become more agile and stay ahead of the competition.
1. Attend industry-specific conferences or trade shows. 2. Join or create a local or virtual physical therapy franchisee network. 3. Join a professional organization such as the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). 4. Join a physical therapy franchise-specific association like the International Physical Therapy Franchise Association. 5. Attend webinars and seminars related to physical therapy franchising. 6. Schedule one-on-one meetings with experienced physical therapy franchisees. 7. Participate in online discussion forums and other online communities for physical therapy franchisees. 8. Utilize social media platforms to connect with physical therapy franchisees. 9. Participate in mentorship programs offered by franchisors. 10. Follow industry leaders and key influencers on social media.
