It’s Easier To Get Physical Therapy Than You Think!

Did You Know You Have Direct Access To Physical Therapy?

Whether you want to come in for a check-up, suffered a recent injury, or want to improve your health, a physician referral is not needed. In the state of Illinois, you have direct access to physical therapy!

You have the power to choose. Just as you can fill a prescription for medication at a pharmacy of your choice, you can choose where to receive physical therapy as well. 

Taking care of yourself means taking charge of your healthcare, so remember that regardless of which physician you see, you have a choice when it comes to physical therapy. 

Minor aches and pains are warning signals from your body to let you know something is not working properly. Don’t put off the pain until it’s too late. Come in today for a “Tune-Up.” 

What Is Direct Access?

If you’ve never heard of direct access, have no fear. Skillz Physical Therapy has got you covered! 

Direct access allows you to be in control of your healthcare and the speed at which you’re able to receive it. Direct access laws allow patients to receive an evaluation and/or treatment from a physical therapist, most often without a referral from a primary care doctor. This means less time and money spent trying to find a solution to your pain and discomfort. 

Illinois is one state that allows direct access to physical therapy for initial evaluations. GetPT’s website thoroughly outlines the requirements for physical therapy clinics in our state to treat direct access patients, stating:

“A physical therapist can treat direct access patients when: 

• The therapist thinks the care is within his or her scope. If a therapist thinks the care is outside of his or her scope, he or she must refer the patient to an appropriate healthcare provider (e.g., a physician, dentist, or podiatrist).
• The therapist is only performing an initial evaluation. A referral is necessary for continued treatment.
• The PT has notified the patient’s physician, dentist, or podiatrist when the PT provides care in accordance with the diagnosis the healthcare provider gave.

The Illinois Physical Therapy Practice Act Section 1.2

The Illinois Physical Therapy Practice Act, Section 1.2, states: “A physical therapist may provide physical therapy services to a patient with or without a referral from a health care professional.”

Some health insurance companies may still require a referral, and prospective patients interested in using their insurance benefits are advised to contact their company for confirmation before beginning physical therapy. Patients electing private pay do not need a referral.

Direct access to physical therapy in Illinois may shorten time before treatment, decrease patient expenses and health care utilization, and reduce the need for injections, medications, and surgeries.

For those interested in the specifics of direct access to physical therapy in Illinois, the unedited details from the Illinois Physical Therapy Practice Act are as follows:

Sec. 1.2. Physical therapy services.

(a) A physical therapist may provide physical therapy services to a patient with or without a referral from a health care professional.

(b) A physical therapist providing services without a referral from a health care professional must notify the patient’s treating health care professional within 5 business days after the patient’s first visit that the patient is receiving physical therapy. This does not apply to physical therapy services related to fitness or wellness, unless the patient presents with an ailment or injury.

(c) A physical therapist shall refer a patient to the patient’s treating health care professional of record or, in the case where there is no health care professional of record, to a health care professional of the patient’s choice, if:

 (1) the patient does not demonstrate measurable or functional improvement after 10 visits or 15 business days, whichever occurs first, and continued improvement thereafter;
 (2) the patient returns for services for the same or similar condition after 30 calendar days of being discharged by the physical therapist; or
 (3) the patient's condition, at the time of evaluation or services, is determined to be beyond the scope of practice of the physical therapist.

(d) Wound debridement services may only be provided by a physical therapist with written authorization from a health care professional.

(e) A physical therapist shall promptly consult and collaborate with the appropriate health care professional anytime a patient’s condition indicates that it may be related to temporomandibular disorder so that a diagnosis can be made by that health care professional for an appropriate treatment plan.

Call our clinic today

Skillz Physical Therapy’s rates are as much as 6 times lower than hospitals and provide more services than many competitors. You’ll find professional excellence, high-quality care, and cutting-edge treatments here at our clinic. 

What are you waiting for? If you’re living with chronic pain, the answer to your problem is right in front of you. Save time and money; improve your health naturally through physical therapy. Request an appointment or contact us today!