The level of degree that physical therapists have obtained can range from bachelor’s degree to doctoral level, often depending on when that physical therapist completed his or her education. The current requirement for entry-level physical therapists is a clinical doctorate, which is typically a 3-year graduate program, once that individual has completed an undergraduate degree and taken all the appropriate prerequisite courses. Our physical therapists have obtained their Doctorate of Physical Therapy degrees.
No, you do not need a referral. On June 6, 2016, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed SB 291, which gives physical therapists the authority to treat patients for 30 days without a physician’s doctor referral or previous medical diagnosis for 30 days.
At Integrity, we are very confident in the care we provide, and we are also aware that physical therapy isn't appropriate for every patient. While we do our best to make sure every patient reaches his or her goals, we also realize that physical therapy isn't always the "be all and end all" treatment for pain and discomfort. We work closely with many local orthopedic, neurological, and vestibular specialists and would be glad to refer you to the appropriate professional who would best meet your needs if it is evident to us that you are not a good candidate for physical therapy as a treatment option.
Most likely, your insurance provides some level of physical therapy benefits, but this coverage varies depending on each patient’s individual plan. We are in network with most major insurance carriers and would be glad to check your physical therapy benefits to let you know your level of coverage.
list of accepted insurancesAbsolutely! Every patient has the right to attend physical therapy where he or she wants.
On your initial evaluation, you can expect to spend 30-60 minutes of one-on-one time with your physical therapist during which the therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine what factors could be contributing to your pain or discomfort. This includes a review of your medical history, collecting relevant data, a physical examination, and an assessment of findings. Once this is complete, your therapist will develop and educate you on the specific plan of care appropriate.
You should bring your state identification and insurance card, as we will need to have copies on file for our records. You should also be prepared to spend 10-15 minutes before your evaluation completing required new patient documents, which will include demographic information, medical history, questions concerning medications, and a questionnaire regarding your limitations.
Each treatment session should last from 60-90 minutes, depending on your specific health issue. While we firmly believe your time in therapy is important for your progress, we also understand some patients have other obligations that can limit the time they have to attend physical therapy. We can always work with your schedule to make sure you can find balance between the time you devote to physical therapy and other responsibilities.