Do I need a doctor’s referral to receive treatment?
The ability to visit a physical therapist without a prescription or referral is called Direct Access. Don’t have a prescription for physical therapy? No problem!
In other words, the government made it acceptable for individuals to go straight to a physical therapy clinic of their choice and receive the resources and treatment they require.
Direct access allows you to go directly to a physical therapist without the need for a physician's prescription or referral. All fifty states and the District of Columbia have made a ruling enabling patients “direct access” to physical therapy services and programs.
Can I go to any physical therapy clinic?
Yes. Thanks to Direct Access laws, you can!
The APTA’s website states, “Direct access means the removal of the physician referral mandated by state law to access physical therapist services for evaluation and treatment. Every state, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands allow for evaluation and some form of treatment without a physician referral.”
Put simply, this means you can choose what clinic you want to receive treatment from without waiting for your primary care doctor to refer you to them. No referral or prescription is necessary for this!
How can I schedule an appointment?
Scheduling an appointment at Hamilton Physical Therapy in Baltimore, MD is easier than ever!
We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule.
Our scheduling is easy, and we offer a convenient location and appointment times for you. Call us today at (410) 444-2770 or click here to request an appointment.
How long should each appointment take?
All sessions are approximately 30 minutes in duration. You'll generally see your therapist two to three times a week.
How is my progress tracked?
You should notice a significant improvement in your discomfort and range of motion as you progress through your rehabilitation exercises.
Tracking your pain and mobility levels as you go through your physical therapy program is the most visible approach to gauge your improvement and progress.
I don’t have insurance. Can I still receive physical therapy?
If you don’t have insurance, that’s okay. Our clinic will never turn a patient away for this reason! Please contact our Baltimore, MD clinic and speak to us about costs.
Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?
We understand that dealing with insurance can be complicated; therefore, Hamilton Physical Therapy would gladly assist you in contacting your insurance carrier and assessing your coverage depending on your specific policy.
In most cases, insurance will cover a considerable portion, if not all, of your treatment costs.
Please see our insurance page for more information, and don't hesitate to contact our Baltimore, MD physical therapy clinic with your questions. We provide a range of payment options for your convenience.
What should I do to prepare for my first appointment?
Please give us a call to verify your insurance benefits. We will try to provide you with an estimate of coverage.
To prepare for your first appointment, please do the following:
- Print out the patient forms, fill them out, and bring them with you if you are able. If you cannot do this or do not have access to a printer/computer, please allow extra time to fill these out upon your arrival.
- Arrive five minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork to maximize your time in your evaluation.
- Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your problem areas.
- Bring your insurance information for us to make a copy of for your file.
- If you have a prescription (if needed) for physical therapy from your referring physician, ARNP, or PA, please bring that as well.
- Bring any case manager or insurance adjuster's contact names, phone numbers, and claim number in case of an automobile accident or worker's compensation claim.
- If you have a prescription (if needed) for physical therapy from your referring physician, physician’s assistant (PA), or nurse practitioner (NP), please bring that as well.
- In case of an automobile accident or worker’s compensation claim, bring any case manager or insurance adjuster's contact names, phone numbers, and claim number.
! What office policies should I be aware of?
If you are unable to make it to your appointment due to illness or another emergency, our clinic requests that you call us at 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time to let us know. Any missed appointments will result in a non-refundable charge.
We also ask that if you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, please reschedule your appointment with our front desk so that we can maintain a safe, healthy environment for our patients and employees.