Often not, but it depends on your state and your plan. New York and New Jersey both allow patients to see a physical therapist directly, with limits, and some insurers still require a referral for coverage. Call us at (718) 509-9888 and we will check your specific plan before you come in.
Frequently asked questions
The things people ask us most often, answered plainly. If yours is not here, call us — nobody minds the question.
Getting started
- Do I need a referral from my doctor?
- How do I book my first appointment?
Call (718) 509-9888 or send an appointment request through this site. We will call you back to confirm a time, check your insurance benefits and answer anything you want to ask before you commit to coming in.
- What should I bring to my first visit?
Your photo ID, your insurance card, and any relevant imaging reports or referral paperwork if you have them. If you are coming for a work injury or after a car accident, bring your claim information too.
- Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Hablamos Espanol. We also speak Tagalog across our clinics. Tell us your preferred language when you book and we will make sure the right person sees you.
Insurance and cost
- Do you take my insurance?
We are in-network with a wide range of plans across New York and New Jersey. Health plans change frequently and without notice, so the reliable answer is to call us at (718) 509-9888 -- we will verify your benefits before your first visit rather than after it.
- What if I do not have insurance?
Our self-pay rate is $85.00 per visit. No membership, no package you have to buy up front. Call and we will be straightforward with you about how many visits we think you are likely to need.
- Do you treat work injuries and car accident injuries?
Yes. We treat work-related injuries and injuries from motor vehicle accidents at all three clinics. These claims work differently from standard health insurance, so call us and we will walk you through what your particular claim needs.
Your visit
- What should I wear?
Something you can move in, and something that gives us access to the area we are treating. Shorts for a knee or hip, a vest or loose t-shirt for a shoulder or back. If in doubt, wear what you would wear to walk somewhere on a warm day.
- What happens at the first appointment?
A full evaluation. We will ask about your history, watch how you move, test the area properly, and then explain what we think is going on in plain language. You should leave knowing what is wrong, what we plan to do about it, and roughly how long it should take.
- Will treatment hurt?
Some hands-on techniques are uncomfortable while they are happening, and some exercises will make you work. Nothing should be unbearable, and nothing happens without you knowing about it first. Tell your therapist if something is too much -- that feedback changes the treatment.
Treatment
- How many visits will I need?
It depends on what is wrong, how long it has been going on and what you need to get back to. We will give you an honest estimate after the evaluation and revise it as we go. If you are not improving the way we expected, we will tell you rather than keep booking you in.
- What if physical therapy is not the right treatment for me?
Then we will say so and help you work out the next step. Part of a good evaluation is recognising the problems that need imaging, a physician or a surgeon rather than a physical therapist.