Become a Patient

As patients, we are aware that you have the right to choose where you get your physical therapy. Therefore, we would like to thank you for choosing and for trusting Mountaincrest Rehab Services to provide you and/or your loved ones with comprehensive, effective and safe outpatient physical, occupational and speech and language therapy services.

Your trust and confidence allowed us to expand and improve our services. Now, we offer you more options - land-based therapeutic care or Aquatic Therapy or both. We also offer the latest therapeutic technologies, equipment and techniques, such as Anodyne Therapy, Laser Treatment, Spinal Decompression and others. Through our continuing education programs, our licensed and experienced therapists continue to acquire the latest knowledge and skills in rehabilitative sciences. These advancements and improvements mean that you as patients are provided with quality and safe rehabilitative care that allows you to improve your quality of life.

Eval & Treat - What it Means

In most cases, your referral for physical therapy from your doctor will include the phrase, "eval and treat" as well as the disorder for which therapy is prescribed (i.e., hip surgery, neck/shoulder pain, etc.).

On your first appointment, the therapists will conduct a subjective examination (interview) of your medical history and then conduct an objective assessment or physical examination. The interview is guided by the complaint and the area involved. The physical examination is in turn guided by your medical history.

The process is used to rule out serious pathology, establish functional limitations, establish a baseline for monitoring progress and guide treatment options. The objective exam will use certain quantifiable measurements for progress monitoring. These depend upon the complaint and/or the area of examination and may involve, assessment of joint range of motion, muscle power, neurological assessment, motor control, and posture, and/or exercise testing for cardiopulmonary conditions.

Treatment

Guided by the assessment findings, the physical therapist will then develop and facilitate a treatment plan based on your needs. A typical treatment plan may include:

• Therapeutic Exercises and Activities
• Use of Modalities to Manage Pain
• Recommending and Providing Training on the use of Assistive Technology (i.e., mobility aids and walking devices)
• Patient Education

Treatment Options

Rehab Protocols

Your treatment is often guided by rehab protocols, more so if you are recovering from stroke or recovering from joint replacement. These protocols are established sets of physical therapy interventions, that research evidence has shown to be effective. Your specialist or surgeon may recommend a specific set of protocols for you. These may include:

• Passive or active range of motion activities.
• Exercise (land-based or aquatic) to improve strength, motor control, endurance and flexibility.
• In the treatment of neurological conditions, exercises is used to help restore motor function, help overcome motor deficits and improve motor patterns.
• Manual therapy techniques like joint mobilization, soft tissue massage, and various forms of "electrophysical agents" (i.e., heat therapy, iontophoresis and electrotherapy, are used for pain management.

Frequency and Duration

Frequency and duration of physical therapy is often prescribed by your physician, typically 2 or 3 times a week for 4 to 6 weeks. The therapist, may later on recommend extension of physical therapy or discharge from physical therapy depending on your response to treatment.

The effectiveness of physical therapy is largely based on:

• Compliance to the prescribed frequency and duration of therapy and compliance to supplemental home exercise program.
• Randomized clinical trials showed that 1-hour/day, 3-days/week of PT significantly improves aerobic capacity, strength and flexibility.
• Age.
• Severity of impairment.
• Existence of co-morbidities that may hinder improvement.

Discharge

Based on the following conditions, your doctor and/or your therapist may recommend your discharge from physical therapy:

• The expected therapy outcomes have been met and no additional outcomes are expected.
• The potential for further significant change as a result of therapy intervention appears unlikely.
• The identified limitation(s) no longer require(s) the unique expertise of the therapist.
• Therapy is contraindicated due to change in medical or physical status, and psychological and/or social complications.

Upon discharge, it is strongly recommended that you continue with regular exercise program of at least 30 minutes/day, 5 times/week, which research evidence proofs, enhances physical function, promotes cardiovascular fitness and postpones disability, even among adults with chronic conditions.

The variety of fitness and wellness programs offered here at Mountaincrest Rehab would help you obtain the benefits of regular exercise safely.

Other Information

For your physical therapy appointment, it is advisable to dress in layers - an inner layer that wicks sweat away from your body, an insulating layer (sweater) that could be easily removed and a coat, if necessary.

For your aquatic therapy appointment, you need swimwear, preferably a bathing suit, water shoes (or canvas, rubber-soled loafers), a towel and a thick robe or tracksuit to ward off the chill when getting out of the pool.

Please do not get into the pool, if you have:

• Any infectious/contagious illnesses.
• Skin infection of any kind (rashes, fungal infection, etc.).
• Open cut/wound/sores.
• Bowel and/or bladder incontinence.
• Allergic reaction to pool chemicals.

If you have limited mobility and need assistance for your personal needs, make sure that your caregiver is present during your entire physical therapy session.

If you need to change your appointment, please do so at least 24 hours before.

If you cancel an appointment, it is strongly recommended that you make-up for your missed appointment the next day or as soon as possible.

Payment Options

Physical Therapy is covered by most health plans, including Medicare. However, individual coverage varies, some have an annual limit, others limit number of visits. It is advisable to call the customer service of your health insurance provider, using the phone number found on the back of your insurance card to find out what kind of coverage your health plan offers.

Most health plans require that you pay co-insurance for your physical therapy. Co-insurance also varies. If you have problems with paying your co-insurance, we are willing to work out a payment plan with you.

We also accept motor-vehicular and work compensation cases. However, we do need information about your claim such as, date of injury, claim number and insurance/lawyer's contact information, etc.

Children under 21 with Arkids A are welcome. Unfortunately, due to state laws, we cannot bill for Arkids B, nor can we bill Medicaid for patient 21 years or older.

Your health insurance company will be billed for your therapy as soon as possible. When these services have been paid for, you will receive a statement from your insurance company or an explanation of benefits (EOB). You will also receive a statement from Mountaincrest Rehab for co-insurance and other charges not paid by your insurance. If you have any questions about your EOB or your statement, please call your insurance carrier or our office and we would be glad to address them.