Preparing For Your Visit / Insurance

When you come for your appointment, please remember to bring the following:

• Government issued photo ID
• Health Insurance information and insurance card
• Insurance referral from your primary care provider(PCP), if applicable.
• Copies of operation records, medical records, X-rays, MRI’s, CT scans, bone scans, ultrasounds from prior doctor visits that relate to your problem area (even if you have been told that they are normal).
• If you have seen a physical therapist, please bring a progress letter from the therapist.
• If you have had surgery elsewhere, please bring a copy of your operation report.
• A list of all medications that you are currently taking and their doses.
• A list of any known drug allergies and the symptoms you may have from taking these medicines.
• Any medical information or reasons for admission to a hospital.
• Take a few minutes to write down the problem with your body part, include anything that makes it better or worse, and any questions you want answered during your visit.
• Your workers’ compensation information, including claim number, insurance carrier name, address, and telephone number and Utilization Review Nurse contact information and adjuster information, name of your employer with address and telephone, and name of work supervisor.
• If you are unable to complete paperwork, are not mobile, or are in a rehab facility following a surgery, we recommend someone, such as a family member or friend, accompany you for your visit. Please note: If you are being transported by wheelchair transit, the attendant will not stay for your visit. They will drop you off and pick you up after your visit is completed.

Very often during the course of your evaluation or treatment for an orthopaedics condition, your doctor will require X-rays to determine the cause of a problem, or to evaluate your progress. For prompt evaluation and patient convenience, diagnostic X-rays are available at our facility.

X-rays are usually arranged as part of your scheduled orthopaedic appointment, but please bring in any X-rays of the relevant body part you have been given by another provider.

Please dress so the body part you are having trouble with can be easily examined and/or X-rayed.

As an example, if you are having shoulder or elbow problems, please wear a top that has only a few buttons and is easy to remove. Ladies, please ensure that underclothing is worn to allow the shoulder to be examined with the outer garments removed. For knee and ankle exams, wear shorts when possible.

Often, belts, jewelry, and shoes must be removed in order to obtain X-rays and to be examined. Please keep this in mind when dressing, as difficulty in removing them will prolong your visit.

We suggest you plan to arrive 15 – 30 minutes early for your appointment. If you are late, it may not be possible for you to be seen that day in order to avoid inconveniencing other patients.

For your convenience, and to expedite your visit, we encourage you to visit the Forms section of this website to complete the New Patient or Established Patient Paperwork. Patients not being seen for a period of 3 years will need to complete the new patient paperwork.

Please telephone the office during business hours to cancel and/or reschedule your appointment. We request you cancel at least 24 hours prior to your appointment so that your time can be allocated to another patient who is seeking treatment.

In the event you do not cancel your appointment, you may be charged a no-show/cancellation fee.

Prepare a list of all your questions in order to make the most out of your session with the physical therapist.

Take note of the symptoms you’ve been having, including for how long. If you are experiencing several symptoms, start with the one that is most bothersome. Include details, such as what times of the day they occur, as well as what positions (e.g. sitting or standing) make them better or worse.

Provide information about your medical history, whether or not they appear to be related to the conditions that you want to discuss with the therapist. These can include:

• Prescription and over-the-counter medication, supplements, and vitamins
• Any recent stressful events, injuries, or environmental factors
• Medical conditions of your direct family members

• You might want to bring a family member or close friend to help provide details of your health history and take notes during the session.
• Ensure that you can see and hear clearly by wearing your glasses and/or hearing aid.
• Inform your physical therapist of any difficulties in seeing or hearing.
• Bring any laboratory or medical reports from other health care professionals who have treated you for your condition.
• Provide the names of your physician and other professionals that the physical therapist can reach out to regarding your evaluation and progress.
• Try to avoid wearing formal or tight clothes during the appointment in the event the therapist asks you to do some activities.

• Please go through the clinic’s financial policy and prepare any questions. If a financial policy is not available, ask for one before beginning the treatment.
• Review the financial agreement and ask questions before signing it. Pay the necessary deductibles and copayments during every appointment. This way, you can avoid paying a huge bill at the end of care.
• Explore alternatives and create a feasible plan with your therapist. For instance, you can adjust the frequency of your visits based on financial reasons.
• In the event you switch insurance providers or lose coverage, inform your physical therapist and the clinic’s staff.
• You may pay with cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express prior to seeing your provider.

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• BMC
• UniCare State Indemnity
• Harvard Pilgrim
• Health Plans, Inc.
• MassHealth (Standard and Family Assistance)
• Medicare
• Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
• Tufts Health Plan
• United Healthcare
• U.S. Family Health Plan
• Tricare
• Cigna/Tufts

Please contact us directly to verify any insurance coverage questions.

You can expect a lot of questions from your physical therapist about your health and various conditions. Try to provide detailed information that can help your therapist figure out which treatments are most suitable for you.

You will undergo a detailed examination that includes evaluation of your blood pressure, heart and respiration rates, strength, flexibility, balance, posture, and coordination. The physical therapist might closely examine the affected areas and test the mobility of your muscles and joints. He/She may also evaluate your functional activities, gait, and body mechanics.

You may also receive questions about your direct environment (home and work), activity level, health-related habits, and recreational interests. This can help the physical therapist enable you to become equally active and independent.

You will also discuss your goals for physical therapy and come up with a concrete plan. Most of the time, the physical therapist begins the treatment right after the diagnosis.

Maintaining your ability to perform daily activities is one of the primary goals of treatment. To achieve this, the physical therapist will focus on several areas, such as weakness, swelling, pain, and limited mobility. He/She will make adjustments based on your response to each treatment.

Education is a critical aspect of physical therapy. You might be taught to perform specific exercises, as well as a different approach on your work and home activities. Using these recommended techniques can minimize the pain and accelerate your recovery.

The physical therapist may also recommend special equipment, including crutches, splints, and customized footwear. He/She will show you the correct way of using the equipment to ensure your safety.

Your physical therapist may also relay details of your examination to your physician or other health care professionals. He/She will regularly monitor your progress and work on your discharge. Ask your therapist what you should do after the discharge and inform him/her if your condition worsens.

• Try to arrive a few minutes early during every treatment session. Late arrivals may affect the schedule of your physical therapist and other patients.
• Work with your therapist in achieving your treatment goals and actively participate in the discussions.
• Always be there during scheduled appointments. Failure to cancel an appointment beforehand could result in a fee and disrupt the schedule of your therapist.
• In the event an emergency occurs, inform the clinic in advance. You should also take time reviewing the financial and cancellation policy of the clinic.
• Talk to your physical therapist if you have plans of discontinuing the treatment or changing the frequency due to financial or personal reasons.

What you put into therapy is what you will get out of it. Make the most out of every treatment session by putting in the necessary effort.

Strictly observe precautions and reminders from your therapist. These can include avoiding specific movements, restricting the use of body parts, or modifying your approach to certain activities.

Follow the therapist’s exact instructions on using special devices, such as walkers, canes, splints, and braces. Incorrect use of these devices could aggravate your condition.

Your physical therapist may recommend modifications in your house, such as safety rail installation, furniture rearrangement, and removal of throw rugs. Please make sure to comply with these recommendations. Also, follow the home program that the therapist provides you with, as this will play a big role in your recovery.

Perform your exercises based on the repetition, resistance, and frequency recommended by your therapist. Ask for clarification if any of the instructions are unclear.

Once you are done with physical therapy care, please do not forget to follow the aftercare instructions.

Our fees are based upon the reasonable and customary charges prevailing in this area, and take into account the complexity of a particular problem. Fees for a visit or new problem are higher than for routine follow-up visits because more time and resources are required to diagnose and treat a new problem than to follow an existing one.

If you have questions regarding a fee for a particular problem, please feel free to ask one of our knowledgeable Patient Account Representatives for clarification.

You will always be asked to confirm your demographic information and to present your insurance card at each visit. This is important in order for your insurance claim to be paid by your insurance company. Many insurance plans require referrals, co-payments and/or deductibles.

It is your responsibility to contact your primary care provider prior to your visit to request a referral. Your insurance will not pay for your services without a referral. Patients arriving for their appointment without a referral may be denied services.

Payment for co-payments, deductibles, co-insurances, and balances due will be requested at the time of your appointment. You may pay with cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express prior to seeing your provider.