How hard is it to get a referal to physical therapy?

[Darkius]

Has anyone requested it and been denied by their GP, or requested it and gotten it without an MRI?


I saw a sports doctor 5 years ago who ordered an MRI, saw the damage, and then ordered physical therapy. He also ordered no running or jumping, just heavy squatting. The physical therapist said she wanted to verify I was actually injured since none of the exercises caused me pain. She had me run down some stairs, which made it much worse. (Was she trying to hurt me? I don't know if I'm angrier at her or myself for not putting my foot down, but she had the whole "Do as I say or your insurance won't cover the costs.") After that, I got her to stop putting me through more by asking her to instead work on my hunch back, which had not even been ordered by the doctor. She did. Who knows what her paperwork says.

So, I want to ask my new GP to order physical therapy for me, and this time I'm more prepared to say no to anything painful. My question though is will the GP have to see an MRI first? If so, and I have the sports doctor's records sent over, will I be denied because I already had physical therapy? (Different insurance company this time.)

Should I tell the full story up front, or only divulge it and the records if the doctor wants images?

I wish I could travel back in time and respond to that physical therapist, "How about let's call the insurance company right now and see if they won't cover the expense if I don't run down the stairs? And I'll ask the sports doctor too what he thinks." I should have then got someone different. Idaho does not care about enforcing laws though, and has a 2 year statute of limitations for most things.

[Darkius]

I just got back from my general practitioner. I told them everything and easily got the referal. It will most likely be the therapy place that rents space in my gym.

The advanced med student who took my information said I should ice my problem areas after workouts, just so runaway inflammation does not do more damage. He also said I should take a NSAID too. Not all day, just right after the workout. Ok. Will do.

[Darkius]

I finally saw my physical therapist today. I should not have told her I'm seeing a trainer 3x per week. She says she normally sees clients 2x per week but will see me 1x since I already see a trainer 3x. I'd rather see each 2x.

Also, my trainer made so much progress with me that I hope the therapist keeps me on at least a month. I'm better off than some people but still limited by pain.

She says she will ask my trainer what she is having me do and will fill in the gaps.


My insurance covers the therapist for free. I pay $65 per hour for the trainer.

[Darkius]

Getting referrals to see a physical therapist is easy. Imaging is either not needed, or my doctor trusted what I said was seen on the last image. Main thing is doctors are paid by the visit and quota'd by the referral. So if you need multiple referrals, ask on separate visits. Your doctor will thank you.