Keeping Your Pockets Fuller with Out-of-Network Physical Therapy

As the owner of FLASH Sports Physical Therapy, LLC, I often am asked by prospective patients if working with an out-of-network physical therapist will cost them more money.  My response: "Typically, no.  And oftentimes, less money in the long run."  But how is this saving remotely possible?  How is shelling out $100 for a 60-minute treatment session less money out-of-pocket than if you work with an in-network physical therapist and pay your traditional co-pay?

Health insurance companies tell us that we will save money by staying in-network.  For many procedures, this statement is true.  For instance, if you undergo ACL reconstruction, you will owe less money out-of-pocket for a surgeon's time if he or she is in-network compared to out-of-network.  Ultimately, these savings occur because the surgery is a one-time procedure on a particular day that is not influenced by the final outcome.  In other words, the health insurance company will pay the surgeon the amount of the previously negotiated fee that is to be covered by them so long as the surgery is completed successfully; your out-of-pocket costs will be whatever your health insurance plan originally designated as your responsibility (may be a co-pay, coinsurance, payment towards a deductible, etc.)

Now, let us take a look at the costs associated with in-network and out-of-network physical therapy care for a minor Achilles tendon issue.  The patient is a male high school runner who has struggled with increased symptoms in his Achilles tendon for a little over a month whenever he attempts to run faster workouts.  He is on his family's health insurance plan, which is a HMO plan.....the Aetna Advantage HMO 30 plan (Pennsylvania) to be specific.  So, what happens if he works with an in-network physical therapist?

$50 co-pay per visit, 2x/week for 8 weeks (16 total visits) = $800 out-of-pocket (after the initial evaluation)

If he is lucky, he will spend 15 minutes working directly with the physical therapist (perhaps manual therapy techniques and patient education)....not because the physical therapist does not want to work longer with him but because he or she has to see two other patients in that same hour.  With whom will the patient work the remaining 45 minutes that he is in the clinic (during which he performs exercises)?  Most likely a physical therapy technician or aide, who is usually a high school or college student interested in the field.  The patient enjoys working with the technician but truly values his time spent with the physical therapist, so if we calculate the amount of money he is paying the physical therapist per hour, we determine that rate to be $200 per hour ($50 for 15 minutes of time = $200 per hour).  **Grand total = $800 dollars out-of-pocket for 240 minutes spent directly with the physical therapist, 720 minutes of exercise with physical therapy technician.

What happens if this same exact patient works with an out-of-network physical therapist?

$90 per visit (10% discount), 1x/week for 4 weeks (4 total visits) = $360 out-of-pocket (after the initial evaluation)

In this case, the patient will spend 60 minutes working directly with the physical therapist.  In my clinic, 50 of these 60 minutes most likely will be spent on performing manual therapy techniques to directly facilitate healing of the Achilles tendon.  The last ten minutes will be spent reviewing the patient's home exercise program (to be performed daily to 3-4 times per week, depending upon the situation) and educating the patient.  Also, if this patient is working with me, he will receive a 10% discount on all services since he is a high school runner.  The physical therapist's rate per hour is exactly what the patient already paid him: $90.  **Grand total = $360 dollars out-of-pocket for 240 minutes with the physical therapist, performing home exercise program on own

***Summary: Discounting confounding variables (possibility of biology of tendon healing requiring 8 weeks of rehabilitation instead of 4 weeks despite concentrated manual therapy time and/or skill level of physical therapist), working with an out-of-network physical therapist could save this patient both time and money.  He could spend less time at a physical therapy clinic for treatment sessions (12 fewer hours!) and could save $440.  And the possibility exists that he may recover more quickly!  (Note: Even in another out-of-network clinic that does not provide this discount, this patient could save $400.)

This cost analysis is based upon actual situations and outcomes with which I have been involved in my career as a physical therapist.  Certainly, it only is one example of what can happen, and not EVERY patient will save money by working with an out-of-network physical therapist, but I have observed that quite a few will do so.  In terms of PPO plans, out-of-network physical therapy benefits may differ from one plan to the next....but in MOST cases, the savings will be even more substantial than that of a HMO plan, particularly if the individual or family has hit the yearly deductible.  So, the next time that you require the services of a physical therapist, take a close look at your health insurance plan and crunch the numbers.  You might be surprised as to what you discover.....and how much fuller your pockets are after successfully completing your course of therapy with an out-of-network physical therapist.

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In the spirit of the London Olympics, do not miss out on our EXCLUSIVE OFFER!

How would a limited edition framed photo from the 2012 London Olympics look on your wall at home?  Call FLASH PT today at (610) 696-5076 to schedule your FLASH Running Clinic to be entered in a random drawing for this prized memorabilia!

For more info: http://flash-pt.com/Documents/RunningClinic.pdf

BOLT: Retire Smarty Jones-Style.

As the dust from the 2012 Olympic Games in London begins to settle, we finally have an opportunity to reflect on the many incredible performances by athletes of all nationalities.  Jessica Ennis winning the heptathlon for Great Britain.  The U.S. women's soccer team winning gold over Japan.  Michael Phelps capping off his career with a record 22 medals.  Mo Farah of Great Britain becoming a double Olympic gold medalist in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, with his training partner Galen Rupp of the U.S. snagging the silver medal in the latter.  And last but not least, the unforgettable performances of Jamaican Usain Bolt in the 100 and 200 meters.  What a remarkable display of dominance!

Silencing the naysayers, Bolt became the only man in Olympic history to successfully defend his 100 and 200 meter titles.  Despite his typically less-than-explosive start, Bolt powered away in the closing stages of the 100 meters to win over a stacked field.  Reports indicate that Bolt took only 41 strides to cover the distance compared to runner-up Yohan Blake's 43 strides.  What do these numbers tell us?  In short, gone are the days of record-breaking short, bulky sprinters who at any moment looked like they wanted to show you "their guns."  We now have the opportunity to savor the results of long, powerful limbs that seemingly swallow the track with each stride.  I know I am not complaining....9.63 seconds for an Olympic Record!

 

High-speed video of the start of the 2012 Olympic Men's 100m Final:

Bolt towers above the rest of the field.

The word is that Bolt enjoyed the eve of his first win with some Swedish handball girls.  As he should.  And more recently, that Bolt's coach removed him from London as he was too easily distracted by the "sexy British girls."  After the 2012 track and field season is in the books, Bolt has a choice, however; continue to run and risk being beaten at his own game, or retire at the very top as the greatest sprinter of all time.  Bolt, take a lesson from racehorses.  A few incredible races and they are pulled to live a life of leisure and fun with the mares; they are STUDS after all.  So, Bolt, play some ball, try your hand at cricket, but do not take another step on the track.  You already are a legend and have nothing more to prove.  Except to that high jumper in the corner with the long, elegant legs.  She may be your perfect pick for Bolt baby #1.

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In the spirit of the London Olympics, do not miss out on our EXCLUSIVE OFFER!

How would one of these limited edition framed photos from the 2012 London Olympics look on your wall at home?  Call FLASH PT today at (610) 696-5076 to schedule your FLASH Running Clinic to be entered in a random drawing for this prized memorabilia!

For more info: http://flash-pt.com/Documents/RunningClinic.pdf