Direct Access

Direct access is NEW for Missouri residents. On August 28, 2023, direct access went into effect so patients who want physical therapy can seek treatment without needing a SCRIPT! This means you can go straight to a natural route to healing with physical therapy without any other steps. 

With direct access, since you aren’t seeing your doctor first, your initial evaluation is key. The state requires you to see a licensed physical therapist with either a doctorate or over 5 years of experience in the field for your first visit to find the root cause of your pain. After that our physical therapists and physical therapist assistants will help along your physical therapy journey. 

You can be seen for up to ten visits or thirty days, whichever comes first, before we must get your plan of care signed by your primary care physician. Our relationships with local healthcare providers are important, so we will continue to foster these relationships, and if we feel you are not improving, we will seek their guidance.

Direct access seems pretty neat so far, doesn’t it? It is designed to help you! It wouldn’t be worth it if insurance didn’t cover it, so lucky for you, most insurance plans cover direct access. There are two things you should consider about direct access.

  1. You must have a Primary Care Physician and see them regularly.
  2.  You will have 10 Physical therapy visits then our team will obtain a certified plan.

Note: Patients with recent surgeries may require specific orders.

There are some major benefits to direct access. A recent research study published in 2021 determined early access to physical therapy resulted in reduced total physical therapy costs, healthcare costs, and total physical therapy sessions compared to seeing a physician before starting physical therapy. You can save time and money and get help quicker with direct access. Give our team a call today at 573.335.7868 to get started.

References:
1. Hon S, Ritter R, Allen DD. Cost-Effectiveness and Outcomes of Direct Access to Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders Compared to Physician-First Access in the United States: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Phys Ther. 2021 Jan 4;101(1):pzaa201. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa201. PMID: 33245117.