Direct Access

You May Not Need a Referral for Physical Therapy

Traditionally, initiating care with a physical therapist required that your primary care provider approved the plan of care outlined by the therapist. However, “direct access” is now an option under most insurance plans to receive physical therapy. Care must be administered by a direct access licensed physical therapist. The therapist must possess doctorate level credentialing and maintain continuing education standards inclusive of differential diagnosis. Part of the role of the direct access physical therapist is to contribute to the gate-keeping role in medicine and appropriately refer to another specialty if the patient’s presentation falls outside of the realm of physical therapy intervention. CPT offers several experienced, direct-access licensed, doctorate-level physical therapists throughout our locations.