Patient Information

Thank you for choosing PhysioArts to be your partner in your rehabilitation. We understand that pain and the inability to do the things you’d like to do affect all aspects of your life. Our talented physical therapists and knowledgeable patient support team are ready to help you. While the road to recovery is not always easy, we strive to make it as smooth a journey as possible.

What to Expect

Your therapist will utilize a variety of different treatment options which are designed to facilitate your recovery. These techniques can include hands-on manual therapy, patient education, therapeutic exercises, functional training, modalities, tape, postural education and home exercise program. A formal re-evaluation is done every 6-8 weeks. This allows us to thoroughly assess your progress to date, and to adjust your treatment plan as indicated. It’s important to communicate all changes in your condition to your therapist.

To ensure clear and concise communication to your doctor and insurance provider, your therapist will note your treatment and progress toward your goals in a computerized documentation system during each visit. A copy of all evaluation reports will be sent to your referring doctor, if applicable.

As part of your care at our clinic, you will complete a functional status questionnaire at initial evaluation, re-evaluation(s) and discharge. The data you provide in these questionnaires rates your ability to do your everyday activities, and will ensure that you are making the progress necessary to return to a healthy lifestyle. These forms will be provided at our office and take only a few minutes to complete.

Prescriptions

As of November 2006, NY State licensed therapists with 3 years of experience have been granted direct access to the general public. This means that you can go directly to a physical therapist without a physician’s referral. This also means that we will evaluate and treat you based on a thorough physical therapy examination. If we feel your symptoms are not within the scope of physical therapy or that they need further medical examination, we will refer you to a physician. This direct access law allows us to evaluate you, create a treatment plan, and work with you for 30 days or 10 visits, whichever comes first, without a prescription. Any visits beyond this time period will require a prescription from a New York medical doctor, osteopath or podiatrist. Please check with your insurance company for their specific policy as some insurance companies still require prescriptions at all times for payment. Workers’ compensation patients must have prescriptions at all times.

If your insurance or timing does require a prescription for physical therapy, know that your prescription usually covers you for 4 – 8 weeks of physical therapy. After this time period, you will return to your doctor for a follow-up appointment, and together with your PT, will determine if further physical therapy is necessary. It is helpful to plan this appointment early to avoid any interruption in your physical therapy. Please let our front desk know when you plan to see your doctor so that a progress report can be sent.

Scheduling

We recommend that you schedule your appointments in advance. Our schedule fills up quickly and we want to ensure that you get the times that you need. All scheduling and cancellations must be done in person or over the phone with the front desk. Emails and texts should not be used for scheduling or cancellations. Your physical therapist cannot schedule or cancel appointments for you.

In order to get the most out of your visit, we ask that you be on time for your appointments. Please call us if you are running late, so that we can alert your therapist and/or attempt to accommodate you later that same day. PhysioArts realizes that many things arise in your busy schedules. Please give us at least 24 hours notice for cancellation or rescheduling of an appointment. Failure to comply will result in a cancellation charge. All late cancellation, missed appointment or no show charges are due in full at your next visit. Your insurance company will not pay for any cancellation charges due to missed appointments.

Feedback

Please fill out our Patient Satisfaction Survey online or speak to any of us individually. We welcome feedback and consider it strongly when making changes to our facility.