Direct Access
What Does Direct
Access Mean?
Utah is one of many states that has Direct Access to physical therapy, so as a patient, you have the opportunity to seek the care that you need, now. You can receive an evaluation and treatment from a Physical Therapist without a physician’s referral or prescription. Some insurance providers still require your primary care provider's authorization to reimburse the visit, and our team can help check your benefits and explain your coverage during your evaluation visit.
What Direct Access to Physical Therapy Gives You
- Immediate evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for your injuries and pain, by your Physical Therapist without the unnecessary delay caused by visiting another healthcare professional first. Your PT will recommend further examination by another healthcare professional if required.
- Freedom to choose a Physical Therapist as you would your MD, DO, Chiropractor, Dentist or another healthcare professional.
- Continuity of care as you return to your Physical Therapist of choice for all your musculoskeletal needs - not only relief from injury, but also injury prevention and general wellness. For example, yearly checkups can help identify what you can do to continue to reach your strength, activity, and functional goals, as well as early detection of related issues. Related, Utah has expanded this direct access even further now, and is the first state to make it so your Physical Therapist can be your primary care provider.
What can your Physical Therapist help you with?
Current injuries and concerns:
- Headaches, neck, and back pain
- Joint pain (shoulder, knee, hip, foot, ankle)
- Any injury due to a fall or trauma
- Poor posture
- Jaw pain/TMJD
- Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Premature aging and decreased muscle tone
- Urinary incontinence/pelvic pain
- Decreased ability to walk
- Decreased mobility or range of motion
- Poor balance/fear of falling
- Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia
- Pain/decreased mobility/decreased strength due to obesity
- Fatigue/poor endurance due to pulmonary dysfunction
- Poor endurance due to cancer and related treatments
Goals and prevention:
- Increasing daily strength, flexibility, coordination, balance
- Improving sports performance
- Prolonging the onset of age- or lifestyle-related aches
- Start or participate more in desired recreational activities
- Managing inflammation
- Standing taller and more confidently
- Living independently longer
- Minimizing future injury frequency and severity
- Identifying changes in cardiovascular risk
- Better hand-eye coordination and reaction times
- Improving circulation and breathing
- Relieving muscle tension and soreness
- Stabilizing and reversing effects of disability and disease
- Controlling weight and muscle tone
- Avoiding blood clots
- Gaining endurance and comfort
Does insurance pay for Direct Access physical therapy?
Most third-party insurance companies will cover your Direct Access physical therapy visits. Our team will check your benefits and explain your coverage during your evaluation visit.
Call us today to learn how we can connect you with the care you need, now.