FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral for physical therapy?

In the state of Illinois, you do NOT need a referral from a physician to attend physical therapy. If your physical therapist feels additional medical assessment is needed, we will discuss this with you and may encourage you to consult with your primary care physician or refer you to a physician.

Do you accept insurance for physical therapy services?

Our main priority at Ribbon Physical Therapy & Wellness is to spend more one-on-one time in our sessions to provide the highest quality of care to our patients. In order to provide this quality of care, we have chosen to be “out-of-network” with all insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid. We collect payment at the time of service in the form of cash, credit card, check, flexible savings accounts or health savings accounts. Upon request, receipts can be provided that include the necessary codes to send self-claims to your insurance company. Seeking and obtaining reimbursement for services is the sole responsibility of the patient.

Out-of-pocket expense for our treatment sessions is sometimes less than a patient would pay at a clinic that accepts and bills their insurance. Here’s how this works:

In-network clinics usually want to see you 2-3 days per week depending on your diagnosis while treating at least 2 patients per hour with the assistance of a technician. Co-pays now can reach $50 per visit or co-insurance of about 20% of the total cost per session once you have met your deductible. And if you haven’t met your deductible, you’ll likely end up paying the full bill for your physical therapy sessions (and these bills are often $200+ per session).

At Ribbon Physical Therapy & Wellness, we generally treat patients 1 time per week depending on your condition. Our treatment model is that you are treated one-on-one by a Doctor of Physical Therapy for your entire session with emphasis on manual therapy. Your physical therapist will provide you with a detailed home program for you to follow between treatment sessions. Even at our cash billing rate, our total out-of-pocket cost to you is comparable to the insurance model. And you will spend substantially less time in a physical therapy clinic assuming you are willing to put in the outside formal treatment sessions.

When you call to schedule your appointment, we can provide you with expected costs for care. We want to be transparent so there are no surprise charges.

What can I do to prepare for my physical therapy appointment?

For any condition, it may be helpful to make a list of the symptoms you are experiencing and questions/concerns you may have regarding your condition. The therapist wants to provide as much or as little information as you are comfortable with. We will discuss all your symptoms with you in detail during the appointment. If there is a particular treatment method you are interested in but would like clearance from your physician first, feel free to contact them prior to your appointment.