FAQ

• Do I need a referral to go to physical therapy?
  • Montana is a direct access state for physical therapy, meaning a licensed physical therapist can evaluate and treat people without any referral. However, some insurance companies require a referral to qualify for therapy benefits. So, it would be a good idea to check with your insurance company regarding their policy on referral to physical therapy.
• What if my doctor referred me to another physical therapy clinic, can I come to MVMC for my physical therapy?
  • Although a doctor may refer you to a particular physical therapy clinic, ultimately it is the patient’s right to choose where they receive physical therapy.
• How long will my appointment take?
  
  • The initial evaluation typically takes 1 hour. Follow up visits typically take 30 minutes. In some, more involved cases the treatment times may take longer.
• How often will I have to come in?
  • That is difficult to answer because treatment plans here are individualized and depend on the complexity of the patient’s condition as well as a number of other factors. In general, a typical episode of care includes a frequency of 2 to 3 times a week.
• Will my insurance pay for physical therapy?
  • Most insurance companies have a physical therapy benefit. However, the extent of the coverage varies greatly between companies. You should check with your insurance company to clarify your physical therapy benefits including network coverage; co-pays; out of pocket expenses; deductibles, etc. We make attempts to get pre-authorization for physical therapy coverage but ultimately, it is the responsibility of the patients to know their insurance benefits.
• I just had surgery, when should I schedule my physical therapy?
  • Most doctors want the patient to start outpatient therapy right away; within in a few days of surgery and in some cases, the day after surgery. All too often, the patient waits until after surgery to schedule physical therapy. The problem with this is that the physical therapy schedule may already be full and without any available appointments for several days. To ensure that you can be seen in a timely manner after surgery, be sure to discuss the possibility of physical therapy with your doctor during pre-op visits. If indicated, then go ahead and schedule your post-op physical therapy evaluation and the first few treatments well in advance of your surgery. This will ensure that you receive therapy within a reasonable time following your surgery.
• How does MVMC bill for physical therapy?
  • At the end of each month, the business office reconciles all billable physical therapy services here at MVMC. At that time, the business office will submit any physical therapy charges to your insurance company. MVMC will also mail you a statement of the amount being billed to your insurance company. Once the insurance company acts on the charges, the business office will send you another statement indicating what the insurance has paid and any balance that you are responsible for. For more information on billing and payment questions, please contact our business office.