Mature woman watching and copying wrist exercises at home, guided by a virtual physical therapist

Telehealth physical therapy

Virtual physical therapy visits are making it possible for patients to complete their physical therapy appointments from the comfort of home.

All about telehealth physical therapy

What is a telehealth physical therapy appointment?

Telehealth physical therapy is simply physical therapy services that are provided over a technology platform, instead of in a clinic. Utilizing video conferencing through a computer, tablet, or smartphone, a licensed physical therapist will work one-on-one with you to assess your condition and provide real-time feedback. They can also provide modifications and recommendations on current programs and exercises, and help you continue your therapy progress without disruption or regression. Using video conferencing, we provide telehealth physical therapy to help you gain access to care from the comfort of your home. We are excited to offer our patients an alternative option for physical therapy and occupational therapy care for those who wish to gain quick access to care with a focus on quality outcomes similar to in-person care.

For questions regarding telehealth or to schedule a telehealth appointment, call
1-866-4TELEPT (1-866-483-5378)

What are the benefits of telehealth physical therapy?

  • Gives patients greater freedom to schedule appointments that meet their own specific schedules.
  • Allows patients to participate in their physical therapy treatment from the comfort of their own home.
  • Can be used to complement your in-clinic treatment plan.
  • Quick access to care with no office wait.
  • Faster turnaround from referral to evaluation.
  • Able to provide specialized services and eliminate travel restrictions for women’s health, vestibular therapy, and other specialties.
  • Diagnosis, consultation, education and care management of their current condition.
  • Minimizes requirement to travel to a physical therapy clinic.
  • Telehealth PT also allows patients who live in a rural or far-away location to get quality care right at home.
  • Provides an option for patients who recently had surgery.
  • Gives patients the opportunity to stick to their physical therapy treatment schedule while traveling or on vacation.

How do I prepare for and join the telehealth physical therapy session?

Prior to your session, you will receive a link to your telehealth physical therapy appointment via text or email.

5 easy steps to telehealth physical therapy success:

  1. Be ready to join your call 5 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
  2. You will receive a separate email or text message prior to your call with a meeting link.
  3. Click ‘Join Call’ to enter the virtual waiting room.
  4. Enable your mic and camera, verify your location and accept Terms & Conditions.
  5. You will receive a message when your provider is ready.

TELEHEALTH TIPS – Tech To Dos and Tips: 

  • If using a mobile phone, your telehealth session will automatically load using the default browser for your device (iPhone – Safari, Android – Chrome).
  • If using a laptop or desktop, you must use the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
  • Make sure your device has a reliable internet connection and enable your audio and video.
  • A good Wi-fi or internet connection assists with connecting to your visit.
  • Phone calls can disrupt your connection to the visit. If you get a phone call and your visit appears blank, refresh the page.
  • There is no app to download!

Telehealth Physical Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

What is Telehealth or Teletherapy?

Telehealth physical therapy is simply physical therapy services that are provided over a technology platform, instead of in a clinic.

Other terms for Telehealth physical therapy might include:

  • Teletherapy
  • Telerehab
  • Virtual Physical Therapy

What should I expect with my telehealth visit?

A telehealth session will be very similar to an in-person appointment and will always be 1 on 1 care. Through a video call, a highly qualified physical therapist will ask you detailed questions about your condition and then lead you through a movement assessment to determine the best interventions. Next, your PT will guide you through exercises modifying as needed for optimal comfort and form. PTs are able to demonstrate the exercises themselves or play videos which show the exercises from multiple angles.

What’s Involved in a Telehealth Physical Therapy Visit?

  • Utilize video conferencing through computer, tablet, or smartphone
  • Work one-on-one with you to assess your condition and provide real-time feedback
  • Provide modifications and recommendations on current programs and exercises
  • Continue your PT progress without disruption or regression

Do I need a referral/prescription from my doctor to schedule a telehealth visit?

In many states, and for many insurances, no referral is required to get started. Please call 866-518-0283 (option 6), or any of our clinic locations, and we will be happy to discuss if this is an option for you.

How does the video conference work?

Currently, our therapists have a variety of tools to create video conferencing. Your therapist will send a link via email or cell (your preference) and you simply click the link at your appointment time to videoconference your therapist and start the session.

Does insurance cover telehealth?

Most insurance covers telehealth visits! We will verify your plan at the start of your physical therapy journey.

What is the fee if my insurance does not cover telehealth?

We have self-pay pricing available if you do not have insurance, or if your insurance does not cover telehealth services. Please contact the clinic nearest you for more information.

How do I pay for my session? Is my copay the same as an in-office visit?

After your visit, you will receive a link via email to make a payment using your patient account number.  In most cases, the copay and deductibles are the same as in the clinic.

Can I do telehealth while traveling?

Yes! However, your therapist must be licensed in the state where you are physically located in. Therefore, let us know if you will be in a different state and we can schedule you with a therapist in that state. We are unable to accommodate traveling outside of the US but can accommodate many states.

How do I contact the telehealth department?

Phone: 1-866-4TELEPT (1-866-483-5378)
Email: telehealth@urpt.com

In addition to this general contact information, your therapist may provide you with their direct email and phone number.

Will the visit just be a phone call?

No! The visit will also include video so your therapist can see if you are performing your exercises correctly.

How long will my telehealth visit be?

A first-time appointment will be one hour and follow-up visits will be 30 mins.

Do I need additional equipment?

No! Besides your video call enabled device, your physical therapist will instruct you in interventions without equipment or equipment that can be found around your house. If your therapist believes you will benefit from additional equipment, they will discuss the pros and cons of purchasing this equipment with you.

Where should I perform my telehealth visit?

Ideally, you should perform your visit in an open place where you are able to perform exercises. A spot where you are able to lay down, sit, or stand is also helpful. A car is not an ideal space.

In addition, your PT may be asking you questions about your health and current impairment so a private space may be best to protect your information.

Can I perform all my visits with telehealth?

Many injuries are able to be treated fully telehealth. Your PT will let you know if you are a great candidate for remote care or would benefit from in-clinic therapy.

Do telehealth visits yield the same results as in-clinic visits?

Yes! For all of our patients (telehealth and in-clinic), we track scores of outcome questionnaires to determine if the patient is functionally improving. Our telehealth department’s scores beat the national average and are on par to our company’s in-clinic scores.

Time of your visit

Starting July 1st 2024, all telehealth visits will be in Eastern Standard Time. Therefore, if you have an 11 am EST appointment, it will be 10 CST, 9 MST, and 8 PST.

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