Frequently Asked Questions

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE PHYSICAL THERAPY? IS IT NECESSARY?

Physical therapy offers a holistic approach to recovery by leveraging your body's natural abilities to reduce symptoms and improve movement quality. It addresses the entire neuromusculoskeletal system, making it an essential option for anyone experiencing injury or pain that doesn't improve within a few days. Research consistently demonstrates that starting physical therapy early not only saves time and money but also results in quicker recovery and longer-lasting benefits.

 

Choosing physical therapy over other medical interventions, such as pain medications, costly imaging, repeated injections, or surgeries, can be advantageous. Pain medications often only mask symptoms and carry the risk of addiction. Imaging can sometimes reveal issues that aren't causing symptoms, leading to unnecessary anxiety and treatments. Injections may provide temporary relief but can deteriorate surrounding tissues over time, while surgeries, which often require postoperative physical therapy, are frequently avoidable.

 

For instance, studies show that a significant number of people without low back pain exhibit issues like disc bulges on MRIs, which don't affect their daily lives. Similarly, rotator cuff tears can be present without shoulder pain. This highlights the importance of not relying solely on imaging for diagnosis, as it can lead to unnecessary invasive procedures when no pain or limitations are experienced.

Each case is unique, and there are situations where medication or injections, in conjunction with physical therapy, are beneficial. Surgery may sometimes be necessary, but engaging in physical therapy before surgery has been shown to improve post-operative rehabilitation outcomes. Physical therapy provides a proactive, non-invasive, and effective path to recovery, making it a valuable choice for managing and overcoming physical ailments.

 

WHAT IS PHYSICAL THERAPY?

Physical therapy (PT) is a healthcare profession dedicated to evaluating, diagnosing, and treating individuals with physical impairments, disabilities, or functional limitations. The goal of physical therapy is to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life through a variety of therapeutic interventions.

 

WHAT CONDITIONS DO YOU TREAT?

We specialize in addressing a wide range of neuromusculoskeletal conditions affecting the body from head to toe. Whether it's related to bones, muscles, or nerves, if it involves pain that affects movement or hinders daily tasks, we can assist you. Our expertise covers sports injuries, pre- and post-operative care, age-related issues, acute and chronic pain management, as well as traumas like motor vehicle accidents.

 

HOW DO YOU TREAT THESE CONDITIONS?

Treatment approaches in physical therapy are tailored to each patient’s unique needs, generally falling into four main categories: manual therapy, exercise, education, and modalities. Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques where therapists use their hands and specialized tools to enhance your body’s movement. Techniques include soft tissue and joint mobilizations, as well as guiding and reinforcing motor patterns to improve mobility and function. Building on manual therapy, exercise helps reinforce motor patterns through repetition and enhances the strength and endurance of muscles and tendons. A structured exercise regimen is crucial for sustaining the benefits achieved through manual therapy.

 

Educating patients is a key component of our treatment. Understanding the underlying causes of your condition and how to avoid aggravating factors can significantly impact your recovery. As the saying goes in medicine, "Treat the cause, not just the symptoms." Modalities, which are supplementary therapeutic tools, support the treatment process. Although less effective than active treatments like exercise, modalities such as heat, ice, and electrical stimulation can be beneficial in certain situations. They are typically used to complement the primary treatment strategies. By combining these approaches, we aim to provide comprehensive and individualized care to help you achieve optimal recovery and well-being.
 

CAN I BEGIN PHYSICAL THERAPY IF I AM ALREADY SEEING ANOTHER PROVIDER? 

Absolutely! But, please inform us about any other treatments or care you are currently receiving. Physical therapy can play a crucial role in your recovery journey, complementing the efforts of other healthcare providers. We prioritize collaboration with your existing medical team to ensure a coordinated approach, optimizing your overall recovery and health outcomes.

 

DO I NEED A REFERRAL FROM MY DOCTOR?

If you're one of our cash-based patients, you won't need a referral, as they're only required for select insurance purposes. Insurances such as the Oregon Health Plan, workers' compensation, and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) typically mandate referrals. Kaiser Permanente is a notable example of an HMO, although they may require you to utilize their own services.

 

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?

Make sure to bring your current identification card, your current health insurance card, prescription/referral for PT (if applicable), any relevant (done in the past 2 years) imaging results for the current injury. If you happen to print and fill out your intake paperwork you may bring that as well.

 

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?

Before your first appointment, you'll be asked to complete some paperwork online or come in 15 minutes early in order to complete the necessary forms in person. Once you arrive and your forms are complete, we’ll make sure we have all the information needed for you to start your journey to recovery.

Next, we will begin the evaluation by discussing the history of your injury to gather relevant information. Then, we'll conduct a physical examination, assessing posture, mobility, strength, and performing selective tissue testing to determine an accurate diagnosis. Following this, we'll provide patient education about your condition and treatment plan. Expect to learn about how your injury impacts you, our proposed treatment approach, and the expected frequency and duration of treatment. You will also receive a personalized home exercise program along with any necessary resistance bands, all at no additional cost.

 

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY APPOINTMENTS?

While athletic attire is recommended for your comfort, it's not mandatory. We suggest wearing comfortable clothing that allows easy observation of the affected area. For instance, if your appointment involves your knee, wearing shorts or loose pants that can be rolled up is ideal (avoid jeans). However, we do provide patient gowns and shorts if necessary.

 

HOW LONG IS EACH THERAPY SESSION?

Each physical therapy session is typically scheduled for one hour. However, the total appointment time may vary based on the complexity of your treatment needs. Rest assured, we strive to accommodate your schedule to the best of our ability.

 

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

While it's tempting to give a definitive answer, the reality is that everyone's journey to recovery is unique so it will vary patient to patient. Just like completing a course of antibiotics, it's crucial to finish your treatment to prevent recurrence. Our aim is to optimize efficiency and restore your quality of life as swiftly as possible. We take pride in not just addressing symptoms but resolving underlying issues, ensuring you won't need to return for the same concerns. We cherish this outcome and hope it fosters a lasting relationship, even though we genuinely hope you won't need our services again due to injury.

 

DO YOU OFFER TELEHEALTH OR VIRTUAL THERAPY SESSIONS?

Yes, we provide telehealth/virtual visits for patients who are unable to come to our physical location, ensuring continuity of care in various circumstances. Whether due to inclement weather or illness, we can conduct virtual sessions to monitor your progress and review exercises safely. Please note that virtual visits are only available for patients located within Oregon.

 

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY BENEFIT ME BEYOND INJURY RECOVERY?

Physical therapy extends beyond injury recovery by enhancing mobility, preventing future injuries, improving posture, enhancing athletic performance, and promoting overall wellness and quality of life. It fosters long-term physical health and functional independence, empowering individuals to lead active and fulfilling lives beyond injury rehabilitation.

 

CAN YOU PROVIDE HOME EXERCISES OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ONGOING CARE AFTER DISCHARGE?

Certainly! Following your initial evaluation, and each subsequent visit where your exercises are updated, you'll receive your personalized home exercise program accessible through your patient portal. We can also print your exercises upon request. Furthermore, upon discharge from care, you'll receive recommendations on maintaining or continuing your progress.

 

TUALATIN VALLEY PHYSICAL THERAPY’S THERAPIST IS AN OUT-OF-NETWORK PROVIDER - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

When a medical provider, such as a physical therapist, wants to become in-network with an insurance company they have to go through a lengthy process of becoming credentialed with that company. That has to be repeated for each individual insurance company and sometimes the companies will not be accepting new providers. If the therapist’s credentialing is approved, then the provider has to negotiate a contract with each insurance company to determine what they will be reimbursed, and this will vary for each insurance.

 

Being out-of-network simply means that the therapist has not gone through this process with individual insurance companies to receive reimbursement based on their contracted rates. There are MANY insurance companies, each with their own contracted rates and regulations, and at Tualatin Valley Physical Therapy we believe that our time and energy is best spent working with our patients. It is also important to note that in-network provider status is not currently based on education, experience, skills, or treatment outcomes.

 

ARE THERE ANY INSURANCES THAT YOU DO ACCEPT? 

We understand that there are many situations for those who are covered by insurances where they don’t typically have a deductible and paying out-of-pocket would be more expensive. We currently accept auto insurance PIP (personal injury protection) for those who were in an accident involving a vehicle. We are also in the process of obtaining our credentialing so that we may be able to expand our services to those who are covered through Medicare, Medicaid (OHP), workers’ comp, and TRICARE. Our goal is to provide efficient, high-quality skilled services that don't break the bank - which is why we want our patients to be able to utilize whichever option is the least expensive for them. 

 

HOW DO I FIND OUT MY INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR OUTPATIENT PHYSICAL THERAPY?

To find out your insurance benefits for outpatient physical therapy, contact your insurance provider via phone or their website. Ask about coverage details like copayments, deductibles, and session limits. Review your plan documents for specific information and consult your physical therapy provider for assistance. Keep records of your communication for reference.

 

WILL I END UP PAYING MORE FOR CASH-BASED PHYSICAL THERAPY?

At Tualatin Valley Physical Therapy, you will very likely overall pay less out-of-pocket for your physical therapy sessions compared to traditional insurance-based practices. Our simplified cash-based fee structure allows us to charge significantly less per visit, well below the national average fees submitted to insurance by fee-for-service outpatient practices. By eliminating complex billing processes and avoiding third-party billing fees, we focus solely on providing exceptional patient care while empowering you to make informed decisions about your healthcare costs. It is important to note that since all of the cost is upfront it may seem like you are being charged more; however, it is also important to remember that you won't get a surprise bill from your insurance for likely more than $1,000 or even $2,000 once treatment is complete. Please note that many insurance companies do have out-of-network benefits, which means you can submit a claim and get reimbursed a significant portion of your bill.

 

WHAT STEPS ARE INVOLVED IN SUBMITTING A CLAIM TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY?

Submitting a claim to your insurance is straightforward:

 

• Tualatin Valley Physical Therapy will provide you with a superbill containing all necessary information, including our business details, tax ID, national provider identification, license numbers, and your diagnosis (ICD-10) and billing (CPT) codes.

• You can submit this superbill to your insurance company for reimbursement. You have the flexibility to submit bills after each visit, monthly, upon completion of your treatment, or within one year of your treatment date.

• We recommend submitting claims monthly or upon completion of your treatment to streamline this process and minimize your administrative efforts.

 

Feel free to request your superbill at any time during your treatment with us.

 

WHY DO YOU DISLIKE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES?

Quite simply because they are a scam and cause preventable health disparities. Private health insurance companies prioritize profits over patient care. Their business model involves finding ways to deny necessary treatments to reduce costs. This interference disrupts the patient-doctor relationship, as these companies, run by individuals without medical expertise, override the agreed-upon treatment plans between patients and their healthcare providers. These companies will often employ doctors who have no direct interaction with patients, may not even be the same specialty, and are monetarily incentivized to justify coverage denials, which many consider unethical. This system creates unnecessary obstacles in accessing essential healthcare services.