Direct Access Removes Barriers, Saves Money, and May Improve Outcomes

Maybe you have nagging knee pain every time you run more than a mile. Or you woke up with a kink in your neck. Perhaps you’ve been dealing with low back pain for years and have never tried physical therapy.

Direct access could be for you.

What Is Direct Access?

Direct access is the ability to see a physical therapist without first obtaining a referral from a physician. As of 2015, 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Virgin Islands have some form of direct access.

Why Choose CORA for Direct Access?

While not every insurance company pays for physical therapy without a referral, everyone is eligible for a 10- to 15-minute complimentary screening at a CORA clinic. Because all of CORA’s 150+ physical therapy clinics have a direct access policy, it’s easy to find convenient treatment, which often begins the very same day.

During this initial evaluation, our trained therapists will determine whether you are a good candidate for therapy and explain the next steps, which might include traditional therapy, a recommendation for a specialized cash-pay program such as Astym therapy or AlterG, or referral to a physician for a more serious condition. Your PT can explain what is covered under your insurance policy, and if you don’t have insurance, we offer affordable self-pay rates.

We encourage patients to come by one of our clinics or set up an appointment, even without a doctor’s referral. And if you don’t have a doctor, we have great relationships with many specialized practitioners in the communities we serve and can help connect you to a trusted local physician.

Removing Barriers to Physical Therapy

Direct access removes many of the barriers to physical therapy and provides the following benefits to patients.

• Saves time. Instead of spending time on the phone or in a waiting room to arrange a referral, you can call CORA directly to set up an appointment, or even walk into one of our conveniently located clinics. Studies show that direct-access therapy services result in fewer general practitioner visits and hospital admissions than those arranged via physician referral.
• Saves money. Direct access may lower the cost of health care for the patient because it eliminates the need for a doctor’s visit to obtain a referral. Studies have also found that when a patient receives therapy services first, it decreases the need for costly imaging and medications.
• Speeds recovery. Through direct access, patients can experience less pain and a faster recovery. Research indicates that direct access patients generally had better outcomes at discharge and achieved it in fewer visits than those referred by physicians. Patients also reported a higher degree of satisfaction with therapy through direct access.

While the guidelines for direct access vary according to state law, our knowledgeable intake personnel can verify benefits and explain Direct Access as it relates to your insurance. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, now honor some form of direct access. Co-payments for treatment still apply, but the initial screening is always complimentary.

Direct Access Gets You in the Door

Come by or contact a CORA clinic in your area so that we can explain more about direct access and help you understand the benefits of physical therapy and the services that our clinics offer. We have locations across Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, so come directly to us whenever you need us — no referral necessary. Book your appointment today!

New Patient or Feeling Anxious? Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you are a first-timer or simply want to learn more about Direct Access, here is some helpful information.