What IS Direct Access?

2 main reasons Direct Access makes sense for YOU!

Get the care you need in less time

For most people, they only notice and acknowledge a condition once it becomes truly painful or prevents them from daily activities. Then, they search the internet and try to self-diagnose the problem. Finally, once the condition doesn’t improve, they call their doctor to schedule an appointment. This process could take weeks or months—leaving the patient in pain and possibly worsening the condition. Direct access allows patients to skip the doctor’s appointment often scheduled weeks in advance. In fact, a 2017 Merritt Hawkins study showed that the average wait time to see a physician is 24 days, up 30% from 2014. 

Wouldn’t it be great if you could cut out a few steps (and save a few dollars!) and head directly to your physical therapist?

You can. It’s called Direct Access!

Additionally, doctors usually prescribe OTC pain relievers first before considering PT. These can relieve the symptoms, but the underlying physical ailment is not healing. Instead, your practice’s marketing shows patients that going to PT first allows them to be properly diagnosed and to see results right away.

Save money on care and treatment

Insurance does not pay nearly as well as it used to. Patients often spend $30-60 per office visit at their physician. Patients who start their care at the doctor’s office often spend upwards of $200. This is the estimated cost if they have an initial appointment and 2-3 follow-ups before physical therapy is prescribed. The doctor may also order tests, X rays, and prescriptions that increase costs and still may not treat the root cause of the pain. Similarly, this care can delay physical remediation and increase damage to the joints and tissues.

If the patient goes to PT first, they can save hundreds of dollars on care and start to feel better sooner. Additionally, physical therapy provides a more holistic look at the pain point and can identify the root cause and secondary impacts. Educating patients about these benefits of direct access is key to helping them feel confident to go to PT first.

WHAT EXACTLY IS DIRECT ACCESS?

It’s just what it sounds like! Direct Access is the ability to directly access your physical therapist without a physician referral or prescription.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Direct access is regulated at the state level. Some form of direct access exists in every state, though the specific laws vary. Some states have no rules, while others have limits on the number of visits or the time period for which patients can seek physical therapy before a doctor’s prescription becomes necessary. At the very least, though, every state allows a patient to receive an evaluation without a referral. If you’re interest in learning more about Direct Access Laws, we recommend visiting the American Physical Therapy Association’s site. 

As of August 2018, Governor Rauner signed the Direct Access Bill in Illinois.

Additionally, physical therapy has been found to be as effective as surgery for conditions including meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spinal stenosis. Plus, you don’t have to worry about side effects, risk of infection, etc. that are associated with surgery. 

LET’S RECAP

Your right to directly access physical therapy services without a physician referral or prescription.

1. Quicker access to the care you need. Our patients are seen within two to three days of scheduling an appointment, while it takes an average of 24 days to see your primary care physician or orthopaedic surgeon.
2. Less associated costs and reduced need for additional healthcare services. The right physical therapy within 14 days of the onset of low back pain minimizes the average total episodic cost of care by 50%. These costs are saved by avoiding surgery, imaging, and prescription medication.
3. Better outcomes and higher satisfaction. Patients who received physical therapy through direct access (vs. physician referral) had a higher level of satisfaction with their care and better outcomes at discharge.

At the end of the day, we’re by no means recommending you avoid your primary care physician altogether. But, in the instances when you know physical therapy is what you need, isn’t it better to get straight to the source right away? And this way, you’re ready to make an informed decision on the best choice for you.

Schedule your FAST TRACK PHYSIO evaluation.