About Your Visit - FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
At FocusPTF, effective treatment and therapy that gets you back in the game is our topmost priority. We also want to ensure that you feel comfortable in our facility, and confident in our ability.
We completely understand that physical therapy can initially seem intimidating. You're in pain and you're not sure what to expect. Don't worry – it's not as scary as you might think. And we've made preparing for your first visit a breeze with our New Patient Kit to help put your mind at ease.
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How long will my first visit be?
You can expect to be at the office from 60 to 90 minutes on your first visit. You will undergo a comprehensive evaluation so we can establish an appropriate treatment plan. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment to discuss insurance and billing procedures with our front office staff and complete your new patient paperwork.
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How long will my regular appointments be?
Depending on the type of treatment indicated on your referral, your regular appointments will last 45 minutes to an hour.
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How often will I have therapy sessions?
A treatment program typically consists of two to four sessions per week. The more often we can work with you, the quicker we can help you recover.
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How do I schedule follow-up appointments?
Appointments are made with the front office staff or your physical therapist. You should check in and out with them at each visit.
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Who will be involved in my physical therapy?
Physical therapy services are directed by licensed physical therapists. Your specialized treatment program will involve a team approach, consisting of skilled physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
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Will I always have the same therapist?
It is our policy to schedule you with the same team of therapists for each of your visits to our center. Occasionally, substitutions must be made because of staff vacation, illness, or participation in continuing education courses.
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Will my insurance cover the costs of my treatment?
As a courtesy to our patients, physical therapy benefits will be verified prior to your first appointment. Our front office staff will outline your benefits when you arrive, as per your insurance contract. We do advise patients to contact and review the benefits outlined in their insurance plan. Co-pay, co-insurance and deductible amounts are paid at the time of service. Additionally, we offer affordable cash pay physical and massage therapy services.
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What should I do if I am unable to keep my appointment?
In order to accommodate each patient’s schedule, reserving time slots for treatments is very important to operate our facilities efficiently. Canceling an appointment at the last minute or failing to come in for a session limits our ability to meet the scheduling needs of our other patients. Therefore, we request that all cancellations be made at least 24 hours in advance of an appointment. A fee of $20.00 may be charged for cancellations with less than 24-hour notice.
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Will my doctor be kept updated on my treatments and progress?
A copy of your initial evaluation will be sent to your referring physician, along with regular progress notes to keep your physician updated on your progress and current functional status. Communication with all parties is an important component of your treatment program.
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What will happen when I am discharged?
Upon discharge, you will be adequately prepared to leave physical therapy, and your home exercise program will be updated accordingly. You may contact your physical therapist anytime with questions or concerns.
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Since we’ll be stretching and exercising, we highly recommend you bring comfortable, unrestrictive clothing or athletic wear to all your treatments. Your clothes should allow us to evaluate your area of injury, so please dress accordingly. As for footwear, we suggest comfortable, closed-toe shoes – sneakers would be perfect. We’d also recommend against any type of heel. If you have any questions, please contact us prior to your first appointment.
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When you head out the door for your first appointment, there are a few items we ask you bring along – your insurance card as well as your driver’s license or photo ID. Also, if you were referred to us by a physician, please remember your prescription. No one likes filling out form after form at a doctor’s office. So why not finish them ahead of time? Print these documents out, then either bring the completed forms with you to your first appointment, or simply fax them to our office [803.746.7807] .
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Can I get physical therapy without a doctor's referral?
YES. Most insurance carriers allow you direct access to a licensed physical therapist without a physician’s referral. For those with Medicare insurance, which does require a prescription, we will work with you and your provider to assist in obtaining your authorization.
