Frequently asked questions
What happens during my first visit?
During your first visit you can expect the following:
* Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed ( you can complete it online and submit it prior to your appointment).
*Provide us with your prescription for Physical Therapy (if required).
*We will copy your insurance card.
*You will be seen for the initial evaluation by the Physical Therapist.
* The therapist will discuss the following:
1. Your medical history
2. Your current problems/complaints.
3. Pain intensity; what aggrevates and eases the pain.
4. How this is impacting your daily activities or your funcational limitations.
5. Your GOALS for physical therapy.
6. Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health.
*The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation which may include all or some of the following:
1. Palpation: Touching around the area of the pain/problem. This is done to check for the presence of pain, tenderness, inflammation, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, swelling, etc.
2. Range of Motion (ROM): the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for quality of movement and any restrictions.
3. Muscle Testing: Therapist will check for strength and the quality of muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted and often the muscle strength will be graded (1-5). This is also aprt of the neurological screening.
4. Neurological Screening: the therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well.
5. Special Tests: the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.
6. Posture Assessment: the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.
**The therapist will then formulate a list of problems you are having, and how to treat those problems. A plan is subsequently established with the patient's input. This includes how many sessions you will be seen each week, how many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short term/long term goals, and what is expected after discharge from PT. The plan is created with input from you, your physical therapist, and your doctor.
What do I need to bring with me?
Make sure you bring your physical therapy referral (if needed) and your payment information. If your insurance is covering the cost of your physical therapy, bring your insurance card.
How should I dress?
You should wear loose-fitting clothing so that you can expose the area that will be evaluated and treated. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, it is best to wear a tank top, and for low back problems, wear a loose-fitting shirt and pants/shorts, again so we can perform a thorough examination. There are locker rooms/bathrooms available to change in if needed.
Is physical therapy painful?
For many patients, one of the primary objectives is pain relief. This is frequently accompished by hands-on techniques, modalities such as E-stim and/or hot/cold therapy. Movement often provides pain relief as well. Your physical therapist will provide you with the appropriate exercises for not only pain relief, but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance.
In some cases, physical therapy treatment can be painful. For example, recovering knee range of motion following total knee replacement, or shoulder mobility, following shoulder surgery may be painful. Your physical therapist will utilize various techniques to help maximize your treatment goals. It is important that communicate the intensity, frequency, and duration of your pain each visit to your PT. Without this information, it is difficulty to adjust your treatment plans.
Who will pay for the physical therapy treatments?
In most cases, insurance will cover part or all of the treatment costs. There may be out of pocket costs (such as co-payments or deductibles), that the patient may be required to pay, which is determined by the patient's individual insurance plans. If needed a payment plan may be provided to assist you in paying for your visits.
What types of treatments will I receive?
There are a lot of different types of treatments that a physical therapist can provide including the following:
1. Exercise
2. Electrical stimulation (NMES, TENS, Russian, Pre-mod)
3. Range of Motion exercises (Passive, Active Assisted and Active)
4. Traction
5. Joint Mobilization
6. Soft tissue Mobilization
7. Progressive Resistive Exercise (PRE)
8. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
9. Massage
10. Heat
11. Ice (Cryotherapy)
12. Kinesiology Taping
13. Gait training
14. Functional Screening/Injury Risk Assessment
15. Isometrics
16. Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
North Dakot and Minnesota have direct access, which means that you can receive services without a doctor referral. Some restrictions apply:
North Dakota:
- If a physical therapist believes that the care is outside his/her scope of practice, he/she must refer patient to an appropriate healthcare provider. Otherwise, therapists license will be revoked. There are NO other restrictions to access within the state of North Dakota.
Minnesota:
- A physical therapist can treat direct access patients when:
1. Therapy does not continue past 90 days without a referral.
2. A therapist that has more than 1 year experience supervises any therapist licensed for less than 1 year experience.
3. The therapist believes the care is within his/her scope. If a therapist thinks the care is outside of their scope, they must refer patient to an appropriate healthcare provider.
4. Physical therapy is used preventatively in a wellness setting to prevent injury, provide education or conditioning, or promote fitness.
What is cash-based services or out-of-network?
Please see cash-based services section of website for more information on private pay options.
How does the billing process work?
Billing for your physical therapy visits, are similar to billing for your doctor's visits. The following occurs when a patient is scheduled for treatment:
1. The patient's insurance is verified to ensure coverage from the insurance company for the specified course of treatment. Authorization is obtained and we will bill the insurance company based on the results of the verification of benefits. The patient will be notified if there are issues obtaining authorizations for services, or if we are unable to verify coverage.
2. The patient's insurance is billed based on charges or Common Procedure Terminology (CPT codes) that are determined based on the course of the treatment from the patients PT.
3. The insurance carrier processes the information submitted and makes payments according to an agreed upon contract or fee schedule.
4. The patient will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the insurance carrier; we receive a similar EOB indicating the payment has been issued. The EOB also provides patient responsibility, and if applicable, the patient is obligated to make the payment for any balance.
It is important to understand that there are many small steps (beyond those outlined above) within the billing process. Exceptions are common, and missing information or miscommunications may occur. This can delay the payment process.
Do you take my insurance?
Currently, Recharge Physical Therapy accepts the following insurance: (if your insurance is not listed, please contact Recharge PT to see if they take it).
- Medicare
- BCBS ND
- BCBS MN
- United Healthcare
- Medica
- Sanford Health Plan
- HealthPartners
- Preferred One
- TLC Advantage
- Coming soon: ND Medicaid
** For specific benefit information please contact Recharge Physical Therapy today to determine coverage.
Private Pay sessions are available at a discounted rate, please contact Recharge today with any questions.
What do Physical Therapists do?
Physical therapists are experts in movement and function, so they do not confine their talents only to those that are ill. A large part of a physical therapist's program is directed at preventing injury, loss of movement, and even surgery. Physical therapists work as consultants in industrial settings to improve the design of the workplace and reduce the risk of workers overusing certain muscles or developing lower back pain. They also provide services to athletes of all levels to screen for potential problems and institute preventive exercises programs.
The cornerstones of Physical Therapy treatment is therapeutic exercise and functional training. In addition to "hands-on" care, Physical Therapists also educate patients to take care of themselves and to perform certain exercises on their own. Depending on the particular need of each individual patient, Physical Therapists may also "mobilze" a joint, (perform certain movements at the end of joint range to decrease pain and improve motion) or massage a muscle to improve function and movement. Physical therapists also use modalities including electrical stimulation, hot packs, ice packs, IASTM (istrument assisted soft tissue mobilization)
Most forms of Physical Therapy is covered by insurance, but the coverage will vary for each individual plan.
Is my Physical Therapist licensed?
Tara Jaeger has a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and is licensed to practice in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Why choose Physical Therapy?
More than half of all Americans suffer from some type of pain. Whether it is a recent episode or chronic, pain can really impact someone's quality of life. However, many Americans do not even know that Physical Therapists are well equipped to not only treat pain but also its source.
Physical Therapists are experts at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder, and Physical Therapists can help correct the disorder and relieve the pain.
How long does each treatment session take?
Treatment sessions typically last 30-60 minutes. Initial evaluation will last approximately 60 minutes.
How many visits will I need?
This is HIGHLY variable and is determined by each individual's needs. You may need 1 visit or months of care. It depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairments, your past medical history, etc. You will be re-evaluated on a monthly basis and when you see your doctor. We will provide you with a progress report on our recommendations.
Do I need to be a member of Courts Plus?
No, you do not need to have a membership to receive physical therapy services with Recharge Physical Therapy.
Is there childcare available?
During select times throughout the week and weekend, childcare is available for a small nominal fee. Contact Courts Plus Child Watch to check availability and to schedule childcare up to 48 hours in advance.
