DO I NEED A REFERRAL?
California law allows patients to seek physical therapy treatment up to 45 calendar days or 12 visits, whichever occurs first, without receiving a dated signature on the physical therapist’s plan of care from the patient’s physician, surgeon, or podiatrist indicating approval of the physical therapist’s plan of care.
Some insurance companies still ask for a doctor’s prescription for physical therapy upon reviewing/auditing the case for medical necessity. A visit to the doctor can clear you for physical therapy as the doctor can distinguish if your problem is caused by a muscle, joint or posture problem and not some other disease process. However, if it is chronic and longstanding in nature or you know what the problem is from, you are welcome to self refer to physical therapy .
Some insurance companies still ask for a doctor’s prescription for physical therapy upon reviewing/auditing the case for medical necessity. A visit to the doctor can clear you for physical therapy as the doctor can distinguish if your problem is caused by a muscle, joint or posture problem and not some other disease process. However, if it is chronic and longstanding in nature or you know what the problem is from, you are welcome to self refer to physical therapy .