Eugene Physical Therapy

For those patients wishing to see our clinical staff, there are two ways in which you may access our services:
1.) Referral by Physician, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Surgeon, or other Healthcare Provider (see list below)
2.) Self Referral (Direct Access)

This term references the ability of a public person being able to see a Physical Therapist (PT) without physician referral. As of 10/2007, citizens in 44 states in the United States including Washington D.C. now have "direct access" to seeing a PT, including the state of Oregon, which passed legislation in 1994. This means that any patient has the legal right to seek out services from any PT that they wish to see. As of 1/1/2008, there is a 60 day limit to seeing a PT without a physician referral. If for some reason, goals are not achieved in 60 days, any extension on therapy treatment must be co-signed by a Physician. Many health care providers and insurers are still unaware of this state legislation that was passed over a decade ago.(2)

The only remaining states that presently do not have such access are:

EXCEPTIONS (State of Oregon) (3)

For individuals living in Oregon, no physician referral is required for physical therapy services to see any PT if they are:

1.) a student athlete at a public or private school, college or university and is seeking treatment in that role as athlete.
v 2.) is a child or a student eligible for special education, as defined by state of federal law, and is being seen pursuant to the child's or the student's individual education plan (IEP) or individual family service plan.

3.) a resident of a long term care facility as defined in ORS 442.015 (14)(b)(A)

4.) a resident of an adult foster home as defined in ORS 443.705

5.) a resident of an intermediate care facility for mental retardation pursuant to federal regulations

Patients should not confuse the term "Referral" or sometimes called a "Prescription for Physical Therapy" with an insurance term "Authorization." These terms are completely different. A Physical Therapy Referral is given to you by your referring physician or other health care professional that meets the criteria for Physical Therapy Referral (see "Health Care Providers who may refer.." as listed below). Many insurance companies still require such a referral to give you, the patient, benefits for physical therapy. We presently encounter approximately 20-30% of insurances that do not require a physician referral. This "referral" is a slip of paper, much like a prescription for medication, that is given to the patient (or faxed to the physical therapy office), to present to the PT clinic to start rehabilitation. For many health insurance policies, this is the first step in the process. Then our office must obtain a "prior-authorization", which simply is a verification process that your insurance validates they will pay for services rendered for your diagnosis. For many insurances, this means if you start rehabilitation prior to receiving this, they may not pay for those visits until such "authorization" is granted. This often can mean a delay in you receiving care.

              Physician (M.D., D.O.)
              Physician Assistant (PAC)
              Nurse Practitioner (NP, ANP, PNP, FNP, GNP)
              Naturopathic Physician (N.D.)
              Chiropractor (D.C.)
              Podiatrist (D.P.) (For Lower Extremity problems only)
              Dentist (DDS, DMD) (For craniomandibular disorders, i.e. TMD,
              "Temporomandibular Dysfunction")