Choosing a Physical Therapy Clinic and What Happens at the First Visit
Questions to ask a physical therapy clinic before you book, what to bring to your first appointment and what usually happens at the initial evaluation.
Picking a physical therapy clinic is often done in a hurry, with a referral slip in hand and pain that makes the search harder. A few phone calls before you book can save frustration later. This guide lists questions to ask a clinic, what to bring to your first visit and what usually happens during that visit. It does not tell you what treatment you need; that is a conversation for you and your clinicians.
Start with the basics: coverage and access
Before you compare anything else, make sure you can be seen and that your plan will help pay. APTA's consumer site, ChoosePT, suggests in its guide to choosing a physical therapist that you ask whether the clinic accepts your health plan and whether it will submit claims for you, and that you check your expected costs with your insurer before treatment. If you have a plan that needs a referral, or a state rule limits treatment without one, sort that out first. Our guide on seeing a physical therapist without a referral explains the rules.
If you have Medicare, ask whether the clinic accepts Medicare assignment. Medicare.gov explains that a provider that accepts assignment can charge you only the deductible and coinsurance and must submit the claim for you. Our guide to Medicare coverage for outpatient physical therapy covers costs and the KX modifier threshold.
Questions to ask the clinic
Who will treat me?
- Will a licensed physical therapist do my evaluation, and what is their name, so I can check the license?
- Will I see the same therapist each visit?
- How much of my care will be given by a physical therapist assistant (PTA), and how much by aides or technicians?
- Does the therapist regularly treat people with my condition or of my age group?
ChoosePT suggests asking whether a therapist regularly treats your condition and notes that, if not, they may be able to refer you to one who does. Our guide on checking a physical therapist's license explains how to look up the license and the difference between a PT, a PTA and an aide.
What will a visit look like?
- How long is the first visit, and how long are follow-up visits?
- How much of each visit is one-on-one time with the therapist?
- How many other patients does a therapist usually see at the same time?
- Do you offer early morning, evening or weekend appointments?
How long will care last?
- After the evaluation, will you tell me roughly how many visits you expect and how often?
- How will you measure my progress, and how often will you re-check it?
- Will you give me a written home exercise program?
- Will you send updates to my doctor?
APTA's guide to access and payment says the number of visits depends on the person and the condition, and that your therapist can estimate how many you may need and what your out-of-pocket costs will be. It also stresses doing the home exercise program your therapist designs for you.
Money and policies
- What will I owe per visit after insurance, and when is payment due?
- What is your cancellation and no-show policy?
- Can I have a copy of your financial policy before I start?
- If I pay out of pocket, what is the price per visit?
ChoosePT's first-visit guide recommends reviewing the clinic's financial policy and asking questions about anything unclear before treatment begins, and warns that missing appointments without notice may lead to a fee.
What to bring to the first visit
ChoosePT's preparation guide suggests bringing or preparing the following:
- A list of the questions you want to ask.
- Notes on your symptoms: when they started, what makes them better or worse, and whether they change during the day.
- Key facts about your medical history, even if they seem unrelated.
- A list of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements you have taken in the last month.
- Any imaging, lab results or reports from other providers related to your condition.
- A list of your doctors and other health care providers.
- Glasses or hearing aids if you use them.
- Clothing that lets you move. ChoosePT suggests asking what to wear when you book, since you may take part in treatment at the first session.
It also suggests bringing a family member or friend to help remember details and take notes. In addition, bring your insurance or Medicare card, photo ID and any referral or order from your doctor if you have one.
What usually happens at the first visit
ChoosePT describes a typical first visit in several parts. The therapist asks about your health, your symptoms, your home and work, your activity level and the things you want to get back to. Then comes an exam, which, depending on your condition, may look at strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, posture, blood pressure, and heart and breathing rates, as well as how you walk, how you get in and out of a chair, and how you bend and lift.
The therapist then works with you to set goals and build a treatment plan. In many cases treatment begins that same day. Education is part of the plan, and the therapist may teach you exercises to do at home. ChoosePT notes that your visits may include working with a PTA on exercises your therapist prescribed.
If you have Medicare, the written plan from this evaluation is the one your physician or other practitioner will be asked to certify, as federal rules under 42 CFR 424.24 require. Ask the clinic to let you know once that is done.
After the first visit
Your therapist should recheck your progress during the plan of care and plan with you for discharge when you are ready. ChoosePT suggests asking what to do if you have questions after discharge or if your condition gets worse. If something does not feel right about a clinic, you can ask to see a different therapist or go elsewhere. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.
Using this directory to shortlist clinics
Each listing here is an organization registered in the federal NPPES registry with a physical therapy specialty code the organization chose itself. Where we matched it to CMS data, a listing shows Medicare enrollment, group size and whether the group accepts Medicare assignment, along with other practice locations. You can compare up to three clinics side by side. We do not show reviews, prices, wait times or insurance networks, and we do not rate or recommend any clinic, so use the questions above when you call.
General information only, current as of the date above. The information on Physical Therapy Index is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor, nurse, discharge planner or other qualified professional. Do not use it to make decisions about diagnosis or treatment. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Rules and programs change; check the official sources linked in this guide.