Do You Need A Referral For Physical Therapy?

Whether or not you need a referral for physical therapy depends on a variety of factors. While physicians may write you a referral for physical therapy, you do not need a physician’s referral in order to see a physical therapist. However, if your insurance covers physical therapy, you may need to get a referral showing that physical therapy is medically necessary in order for your insurance to either partially or fully cover treatment. 

Here is what you need to know about getting a referral for physical therapy and some of the various factors involved in this. 

Do You Need A Referral For Physical Therapy?

You do not need a referral for physical therapy in order to make an appointment. However, if you want insurance to cover treatment, then you will likely need to obtain one. 

Physical therapists may need either a referral or a prescription for physical therapy from your doctor in order to bill your health insurance for treatment. Your insurance may require a referral for physical therapy showing that it is medically necessary in order to cover it.

How Do I Figure Out My Insurance Plan’s Physical Therapy Coverage?

You will need to talk to your insurance company about their physical therapy coverage. A representative from your insurance company will be able to tell you this. You can also look in your plan manual to see what your insurance does and does not cover.

You will need to ask your insurance what they require to cover physical therapy. Many insurances require a referral for physical therapy in order to provide coverage. Your insurance company will be able to tell you what physical therapists are covered under your plan so that you can plan accordingly. You may also be able to look for covered providers in your plan’s manual or on your insurance’s website.

We bill as “Davis Hospital and Medical Center”. As such, your insurance may not list our therapists individually, but if Davis Hospital is listed in your manual, our therapists may be covered providers.

If you have insurance questions, they are best directed to your insurance company. 

How Do You Get A Referral For Physical Therapy?

You will need to make an appointment with a physician. If they deem that you could benefit from physical therapy, they will write you a referral. 

How Do I Know If I’ll Benefit From Physical Therapy?

If you ever have any doubt about whether or not physical therapy is for you, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your doctor. This way, if you would benefit from physical therapy, they can write you a referral then and there, knocking out two birds with one stone.

Generally, people go to physical therapists for help recovering from persistent pains, injuries, and surgeries. Some of the conditions that may benefit from physical therapy are as follows:

• Sports injuries
• Orthopedic issues
• Workers compensation
• Auto accident injuries
• Lymphedema
• Pre- and post-operative care
• Pelvic health issues (in both men and women)
• Neurological disorders
• Pain management

Many different injuries can benefit from physical therapy. Some of the injuries we here at Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy treat include: 

• Knee 
• Shoulder
• Hand and wrist
• Elbow
• Hip
• Back
• Neck
• Foot and ankle
• Sciatica
• SI joint pain
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic pain
• Whiplash
• Herniated discs
• Pinched nerves
• Bulging discs
• Strokes
• And more

If your doctor determines that physical therapy could be helpful for you, they will write you a referral for physical therapy that you can use for your insurance. You will then need to schedule an appointment, as few physical therapists accept walk-ins. In your first physical therapy appointment, your therapists will assess your condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. 

Do You Take My Insurance?

Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy provides professional physical therapy services in Northern Utah. We accept many different health plans and insurances. Check our Insurances We Cover page to see if your insurance is listed. If you do not see your insurance provider on the list, please call us to see if it is covered. 

Depending on your insurance, co-pays, and deductible, how much physical therapy costs will vary. 

We also provide cash-pay options for patients without insurance or whose insurance will not cover physical therapy. We are happy to work with you, simply contact us in order to learn more about what the options we provide are. 

Our staff will work closely with you in order to authorize your therapy so that you receive optimal insurance coverage according to your health care benefits. 

Contact us for any questions that you may have about our services.