About to enter the PT world

[bmccasland]

Alrightly then, I have a question.. Sometimes it takes me longer to do ALL my stretches, so are the billable parts when someone is working directly with me or I'm using specialized equipment (stimulation, getting stretched by the PT, ultrasound) OR total time in the clinic? My insurance statements (Fed BCBS PPO) look like I'm being billed for the direct therapy - so however long it takes to do the exercises doesn't really matter. I'm not facing using up my visit allowance yet, just curious.

[KnottedYet]

Alrightly then, I have a question.. Sometimes it takes me longer to do ALL my stretches, so are the billable parts when someone is working directly with me or I'm using specialized equipment (stimulation, getting stretched by the PT, ultrasound) OR total time in the clinic? My insurance statements (Fed BCBS PPO) look like I'm being billed for the direct therapy - so however long it takes to do the exercises doesn't really matter. I'm not facing using up my visit allowance yet, just curious.

I'm thinking billable units are only one-on-one time. Modialities (estim, ultrasound, etc) are a flat charge. Our business office does the billing, I just tally what I do with the patient.

[Crankin]

I am happy to report that I can't say anything bad about my PT! She used to be a racer and she knows what she's doing. Basically my neck and entire upper left side is imbalanced, tight, and hurting. She spent 20 minutes taking my history and then poked around and asked what hurt. She did a lot of massage, gave me 3-4 exercises to do, and I had a heat/electrical stim. treatment on my neck. She said I'll come once a week for a couple of weeks and then every other week, since I think she realizes I'm motivated to do the stuff at home.
She said I should be doing only easier exercise so I am ready for the season. Well, I'll cut out the yoga and weights, but not the cycling indoors or out. I will tone it down, though.
I went back to work today; the teacher I am replacing had her baby early. Actually, I went in after school to get ready for tomorrow. Thankfully, we have winter break next week, so I can go easy on the kids tomorrow and start for real on the 25th. I don't think I'll be able to do any of the exercises at school, so I guess repeating them 3-5 times at night will have to do. Also, I mentioned that I have some other issues besides what is on the scrip, but I knew she couldn't treat those. She said, not to worry, she can still help as we move through the treatment. The scrip is actually quite general, as I think the doctor knew I've had a lot of stuff for years. In fact, I really think this has been my problem all along and I really don't have fibromyalgia. I will keep you posted.

[Triskeliongirl]

Hey Robyn- just reading this now, but so glad you seem to be getting to the root of your problems. I meant to ask you about this when we were together, but the time just flew. I had a lot of lingering issues, even 5 years after my cycling accident, that some claimed were nerve damage and would never go away. But, with a really good sports oriented PT, and a custom crank set, everything resolved. The PT I saw did a physical manipulation of my SI joint, which while it was quite painful as she did it, really seemed to do the trick for me. -e

[Crankin]

Hira, I do really like my PT; she's a cyclist! I don't know if it would be too far for you; she's at Concord PT, on Baker Av., right off of Rt. 2, before the rotary. She only works 2 nights a week. PM me, if you want more information.

So far, no insurance issues. My scrip was very general, so she has a lot of leeway. She's starting with the neck/shoulder and will work on the IT band later, even if it's just to show me more exercises, since what I'm doing is not working. I am going later today, so will update more then.

I saw a thing on the news about Blue Cross of CA. They were doing some skanky thing, trying to get doctors to "tell" on patients about pre existing conditions. I am glad I live in the nanny state of MA, because we have a lot of laws to protect consumers from stuff like that with insurance. BC stopped sending me letters to join their "healthy living" program, I assume because my # of doctor visits has gone down. I really don't need an insurance company nurse to tell me to exercise!

[Crankin]

Yes, I changed my user name. Now it matches my BJ name.
I LOVE my PT.
Yesterday, she did about 10 minutes of massage on my neck. Some was a little painful, but man, when it was done, I felt totally loose and no pain. We talked about cycling the whole time. Then she showed me another exercise for my mid spine to do on the roller, after I told her I had one. Something made me keep my son's after he left home.
Then she checked how I was doing my neck exercises and I got a good grade. Finally, when I mentioned my groin pain/hip flexors she showed me a variation of a stretch that I already knew. She told me I must be climbing right, after I told her this only hurts when I climb or really use a big gear. I already knew this area is usually weak in cyclists, but it's really bad on one side, and very annoying.
Bad thing was, I couldn't get an appointment for next week, since she was booked. I made 3 appointments for the 3 following weeks, though.