We are here to help you enjoy your life, pain-free! To make a convenient appointment, simply call us today. Our practice is dedicated to helping our patients recover from all types of injuries and surgeries. Our goal is for you to get better and back to your normal activities.
Patient Forms
At Flowstate Physical Therapy, we want to maximize your time with us. Before your first visit, please print and complete the New Patient Forms below. Please bring your insurance cards and photo ID to your first visit. Otherwise, allow extra time before your appointment to fill them out here.
Before Your First Visit
- Make a list of questions and concerns you would like to discuss with your therapist.
- List signs and symptoms that can be of importance to the therapist.
- Have in writing key past medical history, previous treatments, current medications, and other important information.
- Please call our office to verify your insurance benefits.
- Arrive 15 minutes early for your first appointment.
- Bring with you a copy of your insurance card and a photo ID.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
- You will register with our friendly front office staff. They will help you navigate the insurance process and treatment program so you can focus on your recovery.
- You will meet with your physical therapist for the initial evaluation.
- During the evaluation your therapist will ask questions about your medical history, current pain, or injury. Your physical therapist will also answer any questions you may have about therapy and your condition. Open communication helps us get you better.
- Your movement, strength, coordination, and much more will be evaluated. Our purpose is to help you, so please communicate to your therapist if anything is hurting or bothering you during the examination.
- Your therapist will recommend and prepare a course of treatments to ensure the quickest recovery and the best results. Your therapist will discuss the recommendations with you.
- There will be some treatments performed the first day to get you started on your road to recovery. However, during the next visit you will get into the full swing of your treatment plan.
- You will schedule a series of visits with the front desk. The amount of therapy needed will be discussed with you, depending on the recommendations of your therapist and physician. We offer many convenient appointment times.
- Your therapist will write up their findings and treatment plan to submit to your referring physician or other medical professional who you choose.
- If you have any questions at anytime, please don’t hesitate to call. We want to ensure your satisfaction and full recovery
Direct Access
Did You Know You Can See a Physical Therapist Without a Referral
It may surprise you to learn that you can go directly to your physical therapist when dealing with pain or an injury. It doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with an old or new problem. In all 50 states, you can schedule a visit with our therapist to get help sooner than later.
In the medical community, Direct Access is the ability to see a physical therapist when you want to without getting permission from your physician or medical practitioner.
Our physical therapist routinely assesses and treats patients without a physician’s recommendation. You can call (205) 331-4015 directly at Flowstate Physical Therapy in Tuscaloosa, AL, and we’ll schedule your appointment today! Direct Access eliminates wasting your time for the appointment to see a doctor, then the delays in getting a referral to physical therapy and waiting for an appointment to see the therapist.
Another benefit of going directly to our physical therapist is the cost savings. Beyond the cost of copayments to see your physician or being sent to a specialist paying another copay, and finally getting sent to physical therapy, you can save money and see our team directly.
How direct access laws affect health insurance
Figuring out health insurance plans seems to get more and more complicated. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear the health insurance sector will change any time soon. Every carrier is different, and plans are too. And it may even get more complicated!
Fortunately, Direct Access is covered by a wide range of private health insurance carriers. Remember, you must check what your insurance covers, no matter what!
Our physical therapist stays in regular communication with your physician no matter what. We will submit your plan of care to be reviewed and signed off on by a registered doctor. Fortunately, when our physical therapist creates a treatment plan, Medicare will cover the cost of the service.
There are numerous advantages to having Direct Access to physical therapy. For example, patients report higher satisfaction when receiving physical therapy through Direct Access versus physician referral. In addition, patients receiving physical therapy through direct Access versus referral had better outcomes at discharge.
Direct Access is all about having the freedom to make your own decisions without being bound by outdated rules. It allows you to be in charge of your healthcare so you can focus on your recovery instead of waiting for another appointment to get you the help you need today!
If you have questions about Direct Access or would like to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, contact Flowstate Physical Therapy in Tuscaloosa, AL now!
Payment Options
Prioritizing Patient Needs
Cash-Based Physical Therapy at Flowstate Physical Therapy
Cash-based physical therapy is a model of service in which our physical therapist accepts direct payment from patients instead of relying on insurance reimbursement.
At Flowstate Physical Therapy, we have implemented this model for the following reasons:
- Improved Patient/Therapist Relationship: By eliminating the insurance company arbitrarily stopping your rehabilitation or making the process unnecessarily complicated, the therapist and patient can focus on what matters most, your results!
- Control Over Services: It allows our physical therapist to determine the type and frequency of treatment based on patient needs rather than what an insurance company is willing to cover. It gives the therapist more freedom to provide the best possible care.
- Simpler Billing: The billing process is greatly simplified without insurance companies in the mix. Therapists can spend less time dealing with paperwork, claims submissions, and follow-ups and more time helping you get the results you deserve!
- Price Transparency: In a cash-based model, patients know upfront the cost of their treatment. This can lead to fewer surprises and better financial planning for patients.
- Lower Overall Costs: Because treatment costs aren’t inflated to meet insurance reimbursement rates, the actual cost of services is often lower in a cash-based model. Research has shown that cash-based physical therapy typically requires fewer visits than traditional insurance-based models, resulting in less cost to the patient.
However, it’s important to remember that this model isn’t without drawbacks. For example, some patients may prefer to utilize their insurance coverage for such services if available, which is why we also provide that service.
As with any healthcare decision, it’s essential for patients to carefully consider their needs, finances, and insurance coverage when deciding between insurance-based and cash-based physical therapy.
Call (205) 331-4015 today to learn more about our payment options!
Insurance Info
Do any of these policies cover you? For your convenience, we have provided a list of our most popular in-network plans; however, this is only a partial list!
Please call our office at (205) 331-4015 to confirm other insurance plans.
Medicare
Tricare
BCBS
AETNA
HUMANA
Flowstate Physical Therapy accepts a wide range of health insurance policies, and we’re here to help you sort through the maze of claims and benefits. Please call beforehand to verify your health benefits and learn if treatment services will be subject to a charge, deductible, or coinsurance.
We also offer a private pay plan if you do not have health insurance or have exhausted your benefits.
Request an appointment today for additional information about our service rates and payment options!
SEE HOW WE’VE HELPED OUR TUSCALOOSA, AL COMMUNITY!
– Charles S.
FAQs
Do I need a doctor’s referral to receive treatment?
The short answer is no!
Direct Access refers to your legal right to be treated by a physical therapist without a prescription or referral, so there is nothing to worry about if you don’t have a prescription for physical therapy!
All fifty states and the District of Columbia have ruled enabling patients “Direct Access” to physical therapy services and programs. You can contact a physical therapist without a physician’s prescription or referral.
Can I go to any physical therapy clinic?
According to “The Patient’s Bill of Rights” law, you can decide what physical therapy clinic you choose for your care.
Although many physicians recommend a physical therapy clinic they may prefer, you are under no obligation to go to that clinic. No medical practitioner, insurance company, or other entity can insist you attend a physical therapy clinic. The choice is yours to make!
Your basic patient rights include these:
- The right to information about quality: You can look up information about medical practitioners’ credentials, statistics regarding hospitals and clinics, and what your health plan covers in easy-to-understand language.
- The right to choose a healthcare provider: Besides your primary healthcare provider, this also covers specialists, including physical therapists.
- The right to emergency services: You can’t be denied treatment in an emergency.
- The right to make decisions: It’s up to you to decide which course of treatment you want to follow.
- The right to respect: You must be treated with respect regardless of sex, age, race, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
- The right to confidentiality: Your health information is private and cannot be released without your consent.
- The right to complain: All providers (insurance, physicians, clinics, hospitals, etc.) must have a grievance procedure.
All fifty states and the District of Columbia have made a ruling enabling patients “Direct Access” to physical therapy services and programs. You can contact a physical therapist without a physician’s prescription or referral.
Call Flowstate Physical Therapy at (205) 331-4015 today if you have any questions!
How can I make an appointment?
Scheduling an appointment at Flowstate Physical Therapy in Tuscaloosa, AL is easier than ever! Our scheduling is easy; we offer a convenient location and appointment times. We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule.
Call us today at (205) 331-4015 or click here to request an appointment.
How is my progress measured?
Physical therapists primarily measure your impairments and your functional limitations.
Impairments include:
- Pain
- Weakness
- Loss of motion
- Paresthesias (numbness, tingling, pins, needles, etc.)
Functional limitations include:
- Lying
- Sleep
- Rolling over
- Getting up out of bed
- Sitting
- Moving from standing to sitting
- Moving from sitting to standing
- Standing
- Walking
- Level ground
- Stairs
- Uneven ground
- Running
- etc
Tracking your impairments and functional abilities gives physical therapists objective information to compare with initial measurements. In addition, your reports and personal experiences help to validate your improvements and clue your therapist to regressions and/or lack of progress.
The bottom line is that you should notice improvements in how you feel and function throughout therapy. If you are not following an anticipated path of progress, your therapist will reassess you. We’ll use the information to change your program or recommend further testing.
How long is each appointment going to be?
Although every patient is different, the initial session usually lasts 1 hour to an hour and 15 minutes. After that, each session will vary depending on your condition and progress; most often, it will last 45-60 minutes.
Your unique needs will determine the length of time, which our therapist will discuss with you. In addition, you and your physical therapist will determine the frequency of your weekly appointments.
It is common for your therapist to want to see you more often in the early stages of your care to assess your progress and confirm your treatment plan. In most cases, you will likely see your therapist twice a week initially and then make your appointments more spaced out as you proceed through treatment.
Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?
We understand that dealing with insurance can be complicated; therefore, Flowstate Physical Therapy would gladly assist you and answer your questions. It is essential to contact your insurance carrier to determine your coverage depending on your specific policy.
Visit our insurance plans page for additional information, and please do not hesitate to contact our Tuscaloosa, AL physical therapy office.
For your convenience, we provide a variety of payment alternatives.
What if I do not have insurance?
Our clinic won’t turn a patient away for this reason!
If you do not have insurance, that’s okay. For patients who do not have insurance, we offer cash-based options due at the time of service.
Please get in touch with our Tuscaloosa, AL clinic and speak to our front desk about costs and setting up payment plans.
What office policies should I be aware of?
If you cannot attend your appointment due to illness or another emergency, please notify our clinic at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.
A non-refundable charge of $100 dollars will be applied to any missed appointments that have not been rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
Please reschedule your appointment with our front desk if you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus so that we can maintain a safe, healthy environment for our patients and personnel.
Refer A Friend
Is it possible for Flowstate Physical Therapy in Tuscaloosa, AL to help someone you know?
Please share your experience with anybody who might benefit from physical therapy’s pain-relieving effects and recommend them to us today!
We wish to help as many people as possible in Tuscaloosa, AL find pain relief and improve mobility.
Please fill out the form below if you know someone who could benefit from our services. We’ll get back to you with more information on how we can help!