No Referral Needed for Outpatient Physical Therapy and Hand Occupational Therapy

Direct access for outpatient physical and hand occupational therapy services allows you to be evaluated and treated by a physical therapist or occupational therapist without requiring a referral from a physician or other referring provider. Direct access provides convenient, easy, and early access to physical and hand occupational therapy services while also reducing costs, since you don’t have to make an office visit to your health care provider to obtain the referral.

All patients are eligible for outpatient physical and hand occupational therapy services without a referral.

Many insurance companies don’t require a provider referral to be eligible for payment of physical and hand occupational therapy services. Premier Health registration staff will verify if your insurance plan requires a referral before your evaluation. If a physician or provider referral is necessary for payment of physical or hand occupational therapy services, you will be notified so that you can obtain the referral.

If you choose, we’ll notify your health care provider about your physical or hand occupational therapy evaluation no later than five business days after it occurs.

After your initial evaluation, the therapist may refer you to your physician or provider if they believe the condition is beyond the scope of physical or hand occupational therapy practice or requires a physician consult or additional testing.

If you don’t make progress within 30 days of the initial physical or hand occupational therapy visit, the therapist will consult with or refer you to your health care provider.

Direct access physical and hand occupational therapy is available at all Premier Health outpatient physical therapy locations.

Outpatient Physical Therapy

Find a physical therapist and schedule your initial evaluation. Or you can learn more about our outpatient physical therapy services, including locations and contact Information.

Hand Occupational Therapy

Learn more about our hand occupational therapy services, including locations and contact information.