Do I need a physician's referral to receive physical therapy?

Depending on your specific insurance contract, the answer to this question could be yes or no. You see, in the State of Maryland, physical therapists are legally permitted to practice autonomously and operate independently. Since we practice in a direct-access state, if your insurance plan authorizes self-referral to physical therapy, a physician referral is not necessary for you to be seen by a licensed physical therapist. However, please check with your insurance carrier since many health insurance plans require a physician's referral for physical therapy in order for the treatment to be covered. We also offer treatments, services, and/or products that do NOT require a referral and are available on a self-pay basis.

Does my health insurance cover physical therapy?

To ensure payment by your insurance company, our intake staff is well-versed in what information is necessary to get your visits with us authorized by your insurance carrier. At the time of the initial appointment, we must have a signed referral or consultation form from your medical practitioner (your physician, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, podiatrist, or dentist). If your treatment here is being covered by health insurance, there are no exceptions to this policy. We will do our best to expediently verify your insurance coverage and obtain authorization for treatment. We are informed by the insurance carriers that verification is not always a guarantee for payment for services provided, therefore, it is recommended that you personally confirm the specifics of your coverage. A parent or legal guardian must accompany anyone under age 18 for their appointment. We will do our best to expediently verify your insurance coverage and obtain authorization for treatment. We are informed by the insurance carriers that verification is not always a guarantee for payment for services provided, therefore, it is recommended that you personally confirm the specifics of your coverage.

Our providers participate in most all of the major health insurance commercial plans and managed care organizations (MCOs) in the metropolitan area. We are participating providers in the health plans and commercial carriers listed below. If your plan is not listed, we will be unable to file a claim on your behalf. However, we can provide you with a form that you can submit to your insurance company to instruct them to send reimbursements directly to you.

Please be aware that with any health plans, there may be deductibles and copayments for which you could be responsible. We will do our best to identify and inform you of your responsibility for payment on your initial visit.