When a therapist—whether a full-time employee or a traveling clinician—leaves a practice, it’s not uncommon to discover unfinished documentation, such as a missing discharge report. One of the most frequently asked questions in this scenario is whether another therapist who never treated the patient can write the discharge report based solely on the existing notes in the medical record. Technically, the answer is yes—another licensed therapist could write the discharge summary. However, the real question is: should they?

Any therapist who signs their name and credentials on a discharge report becomes part of that patient’s case, regardless of whether they ever interacted with the patient directly. This can present several concerns. If an insurance company requests the records, or if the patient has an active workers’ compensation claim, pending lawsuit, or any other legal matter related to their care, the therapist who authored and signed that report could be pulled into the case. Without firsthand knowledge of the patient’s condition, progress, and outcomes, the substitute therapist may be at a disadvantage in justifying the clinical decisions or summarizing the treatment provided. While it’s permissible for a different therapist to write the discharge report based on existing documentation, it’s important to weigh the potential risks. Ideally, the therapist who evaluated and treated the patient should complete the discharge report. If that’s not possible, practices should implement a clear policy and ensure thorough internal documentation to protect both clinicians and the integrity of patient care.

¨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¨

When treating a patient for one condition, such as neck pain, who later returns with a new physician order for a different issue like shoulder pain, your next steps depend on clinical judgment. If the therapist determines the shoulder condition is related to the neck, a reevaluation may be appropriate. However, if the shoulder issue is completely unrelated, a new evaluation should be performed. Keep in mind that whether a second evaluation is reimbursable depends on the specific insurance carrier. For Medicare beneficiaries, your plan of care will vary based on the referring physician(s). If the same physician referred the patient for both issues, you can create an updated plan of care that includes both conditions and obtain a dated signature from that physician. If two different doctors are involved one for the neck and one for the shoulder—you have two options: either one physician agrees to assume responsibility for both conditions and signs a combined plan of care, or you must maintain two separate plans of care, each with the appropriate physician’s certification and recertification. In such cases, it may be helpful to document separate treatment notes if both conditions are addressed during the same visit. Furthermore, if the neck treatment is billed to Insurance A and the shoulder treatment to Insurance B, the shoulder should be considered a separate episode, requiring a new evaluation and separate medical records for each condition. Proper documentation and compliance with insurance policies are essential to ensure accurate billing and optimal patient care.

¨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¨

Sufrir un accidente de trabajo puede cambiar tu vida de un momento a otro. Ya sea una caída, un levantamiento de peso indebido o un accidente con maquinaria, el proceso de recuperación no solo incluye atención médica inmediata, sino también terapia física para recuperar tu movilidad y calidad de vida.
En Miami, conocer tus derechos y deberes legales relacionados con la fisioterapia después de un accidente es fundamental para proteger tu salud y también para asegurar cualquier compensación que puedas tener derecho a recibir.
Después de un accidente laboral en Florida, tienes los siguientes derechos:
• Atención médica apropiada: Incluye consultas médicas, terapias físicas, cirugías si son necesarias y medicamentos.
• Elección de proveedor: Generalmente, tu empleador o su aseguradora determinarán el proveedor médico autorizado, incluyendo la clínica de terapia física.
• Compensación por gastos médicos: Los costos de tu tratamiento, incluyendo las sesiones de fisioterapia, deben ser cubiertos por el seguro de compensación laboral (Workers’ Compensation).
Para proteger tus derechos y tu caso legal, debes cumplir con ciertas responsabilidades:
• Reportar tu lesión inmediatamente: Tienes un plazo muy corto para notificar a tu empleador, generalmente dentro de 30 días después del accidente.
• Seguir el plan de tratamiento: Debes asistir puntualmente a todas tus sesiones de fisioterapia y seguir las instrucciones médicas.
• Mantener registros: Guarda copias de todas tus citas, tratamientos, facturas y progresos de la terapia.

Si usted o alguien que conoce necesita terapia física, por favor llámenos al 305-570-1633.
Si está interesado en abrir una franquicia de Physical Therapy Now, envíenos un correo a franchise@physicaltherapynow.com o visite nuestro sitio web en www.physicaltherapynow.com/franchise.

La relación entre un accidente y la terapia física es directa y fundamental para la recuperación de muchos pacientes. Cuando una persona sufre un accidente, ya sea automovilístico, laboral, deportivo o doméstico, es común que experimente lesiones musculares, articulares, óseas o neurológicas. Estas lesiones pueden generar dolor, limitación del movimiento, pérdida de fuerza y dificultad para realizar actividades cotidianas. Ahí es donde entra la terapia física.

Objetivos de la Terapia Física después de un Accidente:

Reducir el dolor y la inflamación

Restaurar el rango de movimiento

Reforzar los músculos debilitados

Mejorar la coordinación y el equilibrio

La terapia física no solo ayuda al paciente a sanar físicamente, sino que también documenta el progreso del tratamiento, lo cual es útil en casos legales o de seguros. En muchos casos de accidentes automovilísticos, el tratamiento de fisioterapia es cubierto por el seguro del automóvil.

Si usted o alguien que conoce necesita terapia física, por favor llámenos al 800-481-4582.
Si está interesado en abrir una franquicia de Physical Therapy Now, envíenos un correo a franchise@physicaltherapynow.com o visite nuestro sitio web en www.physicaltherapynow.com/franchise.

Movement is essential for overall health and well-being. It goes beyond structured exercise and simple activities like walking, stretching, and standing all contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Here’s why movement is crucial in daily life:
It benefits physically and healthy with improving the cardiovascular health – Regular movement strengthens the heart and improves circulation.
Boosts muscle and bone strength – Helps maintain muscle mass and bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Aids digestion – Physical activity stimulates digestion and prevents constipation.
Enhances flexibility and balance – Reduces the risk of falls and injuries.
Mental and emotional well-being
Reduces stress and anxiety – Movement releases endorphins, improving mood and reducing stress.
Boosts brain function – Improves memory, concentration, and creativity.
Enhances sleep quality – Regular movement helps regulate sleep patterns.
Weight management
Burns calories – Helps maintain a healthy weight by increasing energy expenditure.
Regulates metabolism – Supports efficient energy use in the body.
Prevents health issues
Lowers the risk of chronic diseases – Reduces the chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Improves immune function – Helps the body fight off infections.

Physical Therapy Now
Franchise opportunity
800-481-4582

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