Memorial Hermann offers direct access to physical therapy at our Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Memorial Hermann | Rockets Sports Medicine Institute, TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Rehabilitation and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation-Katy Outpatient Rehabilitation facilities. We are here to help keep you active and moving.
Direct Access is a law that allows patients to seek and receive evaluation and treatment from a physical therapist, for a limited timeframe, *without a prescription or a referral from a health care provider. As of September 1, 2019, direct access to physical therapy services became available in the state of Texas.
Texas law allows physical therapists to provide direct physical therapy evaluation and treatment services for a period of up to 10 or 15 consecutive business days—the length of time depends varies depending upon the therapists training. If treatment is needed beyond the allowed days, then a health care provider will need to evaluate the treatment plan, and give a referral. Once the health care provider submits a referral, treatment can continue as needed.
Yes. Memorial Hermann now offers direct access to physical therapy at our Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Memorial Hermann | Rockets Sports Medicine Institute, TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Rehabilitation and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation-Katy Outpatient Rehabilitation facilities.
Direct access provides you with an immediate physical therapy option. You can schedule an initial evaluation at one of our Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Memorial Hermann | Rockets Sports Medicine Institute, TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Rehabilitation or Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation-Katy Outpatient Rehabilitation facilities to determine if physical therapy is the best treatment option for you.
During the initial evaluation, your therapist will determine your current condition. If the therapist concludes that physical therapy is necessary, he or she will then create a personalized plan of care so that your physical therapy treatment can begin.
Medicare patients who visit a Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Memorial Hermann | Rockets Sports Medicine Institute, TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Rehabilitation or Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation-Katy Outpatient Rehabilitation facility without a referral can be seen for an initial evaluation. If the physical therapist determines you are a candidate for physical therapy, the treatment plan will be sent to your health care provider for signature. After receiving a signed plan of care, physical therapy can continue.
Treatment may begin if it is determined that physical therapy is required. If you don’t have a referring health care provider, Memorial Hermann physical therapists can provide information to assist you in securing a referral, so that treatment can continue uninterrupted. Or, find a doctor here.
Insurance coverage for physical therapy under Direct Access is covered by most insurance plans. However, the rules of coverage may vary from one provider to another. We encourage you to talk to your insurance company to confirm coverage requirements.
After three years of being a casual runner, Jane decided it was time to attempt a 10k race. The 33-year-old gradually began increasing her running distances to build up her tolerance and prepare for the race, but she ended up with something she didn’t expect: pain in her right knee.
"Things were going well until I started running longer distances, and the pain was a sign to me that something was wrong,” Jane said. “When I found out I could make a physical therapy appointment, without seeing my doctor first, it simplified the whole process.”
Jane scheduled an evaluation with Amy, a licensed physical therapist, and was seen within a couple of days. “Going straight to see Amy was a fast track to being diagnosed and getting started in my treatment and recovery so I wouldn’t lose ground in training for the 10k,” she said.
“Amy took a look at my knee from different angles, standing and lying down, and she moved my leg around to see my flexibility and strength,” said Jane. “Based on what she saw and what I told her about the history of my pain, she assessed me right there. She called it a fancy name for ‘runner’s knee.’”
Jane was suffering from chondromalacia patellae, commonly called “runner’s knee.” Knowing that Jane wanted to continue her running regimen, Amy taught her the safe way to approach exercise while allowing her knee to heal and get stronger. Jane left her initial session with instructions for exercises to do at home and a follow-up appointment for more hands-on treatment and exercises in the clinic.
If pain or limited range of motion and mobility are keeping you from doing the things you love, it’s time to get some help. Schedule an initial evaluation so you can get back to your daily activities.
If you’re interested in finding relief through physical or occupational therapy, the therapists at Memorial Hermann are here to help. Request an initial evaluation appointment by filling out the form below or calling (713) 521-0020 or (888) 301-8477.