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How Patients are Referred and EvaluatedReferral:
A patient can be referred for therapy services by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant via phone, fax or mail. A written referral is required for initiation of services.
Please note:
- Not all insurance carriers cover the cost of rehabilitation therapy. Therefore, prior approval is required.
- Patients must have an accurate diagnosis prior to treatment. “Pain” is not an accepted diagnosis by the majority of insurers.
- Referral forms must be legible and complete (patient name, DOB, phone number and precautions).
- Rehab staff will contact a patient within the next two days after receipt of the referral to schedule an appointment unless otherwise instructed e.g. `patient will call to schedule.' Patients may call to schedule their appointment at their convenience as well.
- Appointments are scheduled according to availability and/or by patient preference for a certain time or therapist. The standard is 7 to 10 days availability for appointments. Staffing is adjusted to meet fluctuating volume demands.
- Patients are called 24 hours prior to their initial evaluation to remind them of the appointment and the registration process as well as what to expect for their first visit.
Evaluation:
The patient is evaluated by a therapist and a treatment plan is developed. The initial evaluation is copied and sent to the primary and referring clinicians (if different than the primary). The evaluation will include the objective findings and the treatment plan. The referring clinician (or primary) will communicate with the therapist to ensure a collaborative rehabilitation experience.
Patients are re-evaluated at least every 30 days, or when significant changes have occurred or he/she is scheduled for a follow-up MD appointment. The re-evaluations are sent to the referring clinician and primary care clinician.
If the patient fails to show/ call to cancel for the initial evaluation, the physician will be notified. If the patient fails to show/call to cancel three times for follow-up appointments, the patient is discharged and a summary is sent to the referring clinician and primary care clinician.
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