FAQ

The Answers You Need

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT AN APPOINTMENT?

Every appointment will be 100% one on one with a doctor of physical therapy. The initial evaluation will last around 60 minutes to ensure we gather all the information needed to create the best treatment plan for you. Each session after that will also be one hour. Our job is to look at your complaint, get it all out on the table, look at it from all angles, figure out where you're at, where we need to bring in support and figure out the best path to get you back to what you do. This may be getting back to the sport or activities you love, having pain-free sex, or staying dry and running after your kids.

I strive to work with you as a primary member of your healthcare team to get you back to where you want to be!

DO I NEED A REFERRAL FROM A PHYSICIAN OR MIDWIFE?

If you have one, great! Please bring it to your first appointment.

No referral? No problem! Florida Law allows direct access to a physical therapist for up to 30 days.This means you do not need see your physician or midwife to get started with a physical therapist. This can save you valuable time and money and avoid unnecessary diagnostic testing and medications. The sooner you receive treatment for an injury or dysfunction, the faster you will get well! Following the initial evaluation, we will write up a plan of care and send it to your provider of choice so that they can be up to date on your treatment plan.

HOW LONG IS A COURSE OF TREATMENT?

While we wish we could give a definite answer to this question, that is hardly ever the case. Each person has their own story and unique, individualized needs. Typically treatment will start with one visit per week, never more. Once symptoms begin to show consistent improvement we can typically reduce to every 2-3 weeks while you maintain a home exercise program. Each visit we are attempting to "peel back the layers" to get to the root of the problem and this looks a little different for everyone! The patients that have the most success typically commit to 10-15 treatment sessions over the course of 4-6 months.

DO YOU TREAT MEN?

Our practice specializes in treating women. Please check pelvicguru.com or pelvicrehab.com to find a practitioner who treats men.

IS THERE A PELVIC EXAM INVOLVED?

Pelvic floor physical therapists have specialized training in the ability to assess and treat the muscles, nerves and fascia of the pelvic floor. This is most often performed vaginally. While it can be a healthful component in assessment, treatment, and resolution of your symptoms it is absolutely never required. This is not the same as a pelvic exam performed by a OBGYN or Midwife. This is a much more supported experience. There are no speculums during the exam and care is taken to explain the internal pelvic exam in full before and during the examination (if indicated and consented for).

WHAT IS THE PELVIC FLOOR?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that are on the bottom side of the pelvis. They attach from your pubic bone to your tail bone and are between your sits bones. These muscles support your internal organs as well as a baby while you’re pregnant.

These muscles:
—Help provide stability in your hips, low back, and core
—Support your abdominal organs
—Play a large role in breathing mechanics
—Have a role in sexual function
—Allow you to hold and expel urine, gas, and feces

WHAT INSURANCES ARE ACCEPTED?

We are an out-of-network provider for all insurance companies. This allows us the opportunity to focus 100% of our attention and efforts on helping YOU, rather than putting our energy into battling with insurance companies and worrying about denied claims that can leave you with the bill. We can give you the care and experience you deserve, not just the treatment that pays the most. Period.

Although we do not personally work with your insurance company, you can submit for reimbursement after each session with the paperwork we provide to you if you choose to. We encourage patients to consider this as an option as often times this can be more cost effective than your in-network co-pays. This is not available to Medicaid or Medicare beneficiaries.

You are also able to use HSA or FSA funds to pay for sessions.

We have an insurance benefits worksheet that you can use to determine your eligibility for reimbursement. Please call for more detailed information on this process.

WHAT ARE YOUR SESSION RATES?

Initial Evaluation (55 minutes): $215

Follow-Up (55 minutes): $165

Many patients wonder how many sessions they will need. While this is unique to each person, the patients who achieve the best results are often committed to an average of 10-15 visits over the course of 4-6 months.

All sessions include:

55 minutes of one-on-one treatment with your doctor of physical therapy: you will not be passed off to a different therapist each session or to any assistants.
A blend of manual techniques and exercise, tailored to your specific needs.
A personalized program with guidelines for exactly what to do at home between sessions so that you can continue the work we do in the clinic at home.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OUT-OF-NETWORK PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY?

One-on-one pelvic physical therapy: you get one full hour with your provider (that’s me!), every time. This means individualized attention to ensure that every session brings you closer to your goals.
Decreased number of visits: because each visit is longer and specific to you, I do not see you 3 times a week for 12 weeks. I typically see patients once per week for 4-6 weeks then at a decreased visit frequency after that as they are feeling better and more confident in exercising on their own.
Transparent pricing: You won't receive a surprise bill at the end of care. I share my costs upfront so that you know exactly your financial responsibility before you ever begin treatment.
Better results: when I have the time to spend one hour with you and take your whole medical picture into account, I’m better able to tailor my treatment to your specific needs. I also don't need to do only what your insurance company tells me I can do for treatment. (Did you know that was a thing? Even though your insurance carriers knows nothing about you, they can tell providers what treatments they will or will not cover, therefore dictating your treatment.) Your treatment plan is up to us and is a collaborative approach between you and your Doctor of Physical Therapy, not your insurance carrier.
Your provider isn't burnt out: Here's the thing - life is pretty dang busy and stressful for all of us. When it comes to being a health care provider, I need to make sure I’m serving you from a full cup. I remember working in an insurance-based clinic and seeing 11 patients a day. As much as I tried, I don’t think those afternoon patients got my best. In a private-pay practice, I get to decide how many patients I see per day and don't have to spend hours fighting with insurance companies. This means my mental health is better and in turn, I have more capacity to serve you best.