Direct Access Physical Therapy in Pennsylvania
What Is Direct Access Physical Therapy?
Direct Access refers to a physical therapist’s ability to evaluate and treat you without a doctor's referral, and each state has different laws regarding this. Pennsylvania law does allow you to see a physical therapist without a referral from your physician.
Our Doctors of Physical Therapy are licensed in Pennsylvania to evaluate and treat you without a physician referral, and the vast majority of insurances cover this. Our front office can verify for you if your health insurer covers Direct Access or not.
We do keep your physicians informed that you are under our care with an initial evaluation report, regular progress reports, and phone consultation if needed.
In the case where we feel further medical evaluation is in your best interests before beginning any formal therapy, we may refer you to your family physician or a specialist for further evaluation. In most cases, this is not necessary.
What Does Direct Access Mean For Me?
- Access — Your don’t need to go through a physician first. You can get to your physical therapist quickly and whenever you need it. This means relief and improvement faster, and direct access physical therapy often saves you time and money.
- Choice — Your physician may recommend physical therapy for you, but it is ultimately your choice as to where you go for your treatment.
How can patients ensure they find a reputable physical therapist without a doctor’s referral?
One trusted option is to search online directories, such as the American Physical Therapy Association's Find a PT service. These directories only list physical therapists who have met the highest standards of education and professional practice. By taking the time to research physical therapists in advance, patients can be sure that they are choosing someone who is qualified to provide them with the care they need.
Another way is to ask the people around you; you may not have a referral from your physician, but you can at least have a trusted reference from friends or family. Chances are you know a few people who have been to physical therapy. Ask for their opinions on their therapists: what they liked, disliked, and what everyone should search for in a therapist!
You can also turn to Google reviews. If you check out our Google profile, you can see our physical therapists have been given only kind, 5-star, in-depth reviews from patients. So when you choose Hershey Orthopedic and Spine to be your physical therapy provider, you are choosing a well-recommended and trusted provider. We like to let our patients speak for themselves.
Are there any risks with going directly to a physical therapist instead of seeing a doctor for a referral?
First, it’s important to make sure that the physical therapist you choose is reputable and qualified, as we mentioned above.
Secondly, your health insurer may not cover the cost of treatment if you go directly to a physical therapist, so you'll need to factor that into your decision.
We recommend that you call and check if we take your insurance before setting up your appointment! Ultimately, the best decision is the one that's best for your individual health needs.
What are some things people should keep in mind when seeking out physical therapy treatment through direct access channels?
We recommend that if you are seeking out physical therapy on your own, you find a physical therapist who has worked with your specific injury before. Most physical therapists are general practitioners, but if you have a unique or specific ailment, it may prove best for you to ask your prospective provider about whether they can serve your specific needs.
Never be afraid to ask questions! Here at Hershey Rehab, we pride ourselves on providing excellent patient care. Don’t hesitate to
reach out to us with any questions or concerns you might have. We’re always here to help!
Schedule Your Direct Access Session
If you are ready to book your direct access appointment with us, fill out our appointment request box below, or call your office of choice with the buttons above! We are located in both Hershey and Lancaster, PA, so use our maps to find out which location is closer to you! We look forward to walking with you on your recovery journey!