Erik Bleeker at Clear Choice Physical Therapy is the hands-on, one-on-one Fort Lauderdale physical therapist you’ve always wanted. Each time you visit our physiotherapy clinic for your physical therapy and rehabilitation appointment, you’ll meet the same smiling faces and work with the same qualified physical therapist. There is no passing you off to whomever is on call that day. We make it a priority to know your health concerns, address your issues, and track your progress on a continual basis. We have all the tools, knowledge, and patient resources necessary to customize a treatment plan for your specific issue, and are dedicated to seeing your recovery through to the end. This level of care and continuity of service is just one of the many ways that Clear Choice Physical Therapy stands out from the rest.
Physical Therapy Patient Resources & Insurance Information In Fort Lauderdale, FL
Insurance and Payments
A benefit of being a patient of Clear Choice Physical Therapy is that we accept most major health insurance plans. We participate with Medicare Part B and various Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” that are offered by private companies. Since there are so many plans and coverage varies widely, we recommend you call or email us directly so that we can determine your specific coverage. Our Office Manager will work with you to ensure you maximize your benefits.
We also accept auto accident cases, partnering closely with the many parties involved (e.g., attorneys, physicians, etc.) to ensure our patients are able to receive the care that they need.
For patients who have limited coverage, high out-of-pocket costs or for whom we are out of network, flexible payment programs can be arranged. Many patients pay directly for care, as they discover that the quality of care they receive far surpasses previous treatments at other facilities. As a benefit to these patients, we’re pleased to accept CareCredit. The CareCredit healthcare credit card lets our patients move forward with their recommend treatment and pay for it in smaller monthly payments that fit their budget. To learn more about our payment options you can call our office directly.
Click here to learn more about CareCredit »
Your First Appointment
During your first visit you can expect the therapist to perform an objective evaluation which may include some of the following:
- Palpation
- Range of Motion (ROM)
- Muscle Testing
- Neurological Screening
- Special Tests
- Posture Assessment
The therapist will formulate a list of problems you are having, and develop a plan to treat those problems.
We ask that you arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed (you can download it here) in order to maximize the time that the therapist has with you. Please bring with you:
- Your insurance card(s)
- Your driver’s license
- Any prescription or referral you might have received for physical therapy
- Copies of any MRI or imaging reports
- Any attorney or insurance claim information (if your condition is related to an auto injury, for example)
We recommend you wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. If possible, it is ideal to have the area being evaluated and treated exposed or easily accessed. For our patient’s convenience, there is a locker-room in the facility (with showers) should you need to come from or go back to work after your appointment.
Patient Resources: New Patient Paperwork
If you have just scheduled your first visit with Clear Choice Physical Therapy – welcome! As a next step, we need to gather some additional information from you. For your convenience, and to help make your first visit as productive as possible, you’re invited to download copies of our new patient forms so that you can complete them at home prior to your arrival.
For All New Patients
We ask that all first time patients complete the following forms:
Specific to Your Condition
Please complete the forms below if the reason for your visit involves or is impacting any of the following:
Contact Clear Choice Physical Therapy
If you are in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area and are in need of physical therapy, contact Clear Choice Physical Therapy today. Our highly-trained team is here to help create a personalized rehabilitation plan for you!
FAQs
First Appointment
What happens during my first visit?
During your first visit you can expect the following:
- Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed (you can download it from our website). This will help to maximize the time that the therapist has with you.
- Provide us with the following:
- Your insurance card(s)
- Your driver’s license
- Any prescription or referral you might have received for physical therapy
- Copies of any MRI or imaging reports
- You will be seen for the initial evaluation by the therapist.
- The therapist will discuss the following:
- Your medical history.
- Your current problems/complaints.
- Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem.
- How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations.
- Your goals for the therapy you will receive.
- Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health.
The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation which may include some of the following:
- Palpation
- Range of Motion (ROM)
- Muscle Testing
- Neurological Screening
- Special Tests
- Posture Assessment
The therapist will then formulate a list of problems you are having, and how to treat those problems. A plan is subsequently developed with the patient’s input. This includes how many times you should see the therapist per week, how many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short-term/long-term goals, and what is expected after discharge from therapy. This plan is created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor.
How should I dress?
You should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. If possible, it is ideal to have the area being evaluated and treated exposed – or, at least able to be accessed easily. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice, and for low back problems, wear a loose-fitting shirt and pants, again so we can perform a thorough examination.
Of course, life and schedules sometimes make this impossible. For our patient’s convenience, there is a locker-room in the facility (with showers) should you need to come from or go back to work after your appointment.
What do I need to bring with me?
Make sure you bring the following:
- Any referral or prescription for physical therapy that you may have received from you doctor
- If you’re using your insurance to help cover the cost of physical therapy (e.g., medical, auto, etc.), bring your insurance card(s)
- If yours is an auto or injury case, bring your attorney’s and insurance adjuster’s contact information and your claim number if one’s been assigned
- Your driver’s license
- Copies of any MRI or imaging reports
Treatment
How long will each treatment last?
Your first appointment will require a complete evaluation and requires a full 60 minutes. Follow up treatment sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes per visit.
How many visits will I need?
This is highly variable. You may need one visit or you may need months of care. It depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairments, your past medical history, etc. Your progress and plan of care will be regularly assessed and shared with your doctor.
Will I see the same therapist everytime?
Yes. You will be evaluated by a licensed and highly trained physical therapist who will also treat you during subsequent visits. Unlike some practices, where you see someone different each visit, we feel it is very important to develop a one-on-one relationship with you to maintain continuity of care. Your physical therapist will get to know your problems best and will be working closely with you.
Is Physical Therapy painful?
For many patients, one of the primary objectives is pain relief. This is frequently accomplished with hands-on techniques, modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and/or heat or cold therapy. Movement often provides pain relief as well. Your physical therapist will provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance.
In some cases, physical therapy techniques can cause discomfort. For example, recovering knee range of motion after total knee replacement or shoulder range of motion after shoulder surgery may be painful. Your physical therapist will utilize a variety of techniques to minimize pain as you progress toward your treatment goals. Communication of the intensity, duration and location of pain is crucial to the process of recovery. With this information your therapist can make the proper adjustments to maintain the appropriate therapeutic intensity to allow a steady, meaningful progression.
Will I get a massage at physical therapy?
Massage may be part of your treatment. Rehabilitation specialists are trained in a variety of techniques that may help with your recovery. There are some common reasons that massage might be used – to facilitate venous return from a swollen area, to relax a tight muscle, or to relieve pain. The therapist will assess your condition and will incorporate it if it will help restore or maintain function.
What will I have to do after physical therapy?
Some patients will need to continue with home exercises. Some may choose to continue with a gym exercise program. Others will complete their rehabilitation and return to normal daily activities. It is important that you communicate your goals to your therapist, so he/she can develop a custom program for you.
Patients of Clear Choice Physical Therapy have a unique advantage in that they have the option to continue their wellness program in the same environment that they performed their physical therapy, as a member of The Fitness Clinic.
What happens if my problem or pain returns?
Flare ups are not uncommon. If you have a flare up (exacerbation), give us a call. We may suggest you come back to see us, return to your doctor, or simply modify your daily activities or exercise routine.
In fact, one unique advantage of our practice is our location within the Fitness Clinic. The Fitness Clinic is a long-standing limited-membership gym known for their unintimidating “small-club” environment. This gives our patients the option to continue the exercise routine designed by their therapist independently at the same facility where their therapist practices. As a member, you have access to both The Fitness Clinic’s specialized trainers and your therapist to answer questions and consult on changes to routines – all to help prevent reinjury or potential flare-ups.
Physical Therapy
Why is physical therapy a good choice?
More than half of all Americans are suffering from pain, but struggle to find a safe and effective way to minimize or eliminate it.
Doctor-prescribed medications for pain are appropriate in some cases, but they only mask the pain without addressing the cause of it. These medications also carry with them risks that many people are not comfortable taking – including addiction, depression, withdrawal and overdose.
That’s why the CDC recommends safer alternatives like physical therapy to manage pain. “Nonpharmacologic therapy and nonopioid pharmacologic therapy are preferred for chronic pain,” the guidelines state (“CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain – United States, 2016″ – March 15, 2016).
Physical therapists are well equipped to not only treat the symptom of pain, but also its source. Physical therapists are experts at treating neuro-musculoskeletal disorders through healthy movement, hands-on care, and helping patients understand their bodies. What’s more, increasing physical activity you can also reduce your risk of other chronic diseases and cognitive problems.
What do physical therapists do?
You have probably heard of the profession of physical therapy. Maybe you have had a conversation with a friend about how physical therapy helped them recover after an injury or surgery. You might even have been treated by a physical therapist yourself.
Many people are familiar with physical therapists’ work helping patients with orthopedic problems, such as rehabilitating from knee surgeries, in order to reduce pain and regain function. Others may be aware of the treatment that physical therapists provide to assist patients recovering from a stroke (e.g., assisting them with recovering use of their limbs and walking again). However, physical therapists can – and do, for many – play a significant part in helping people maintain the active lifestyles they enjoy.
Maintaining performance at work, taking care of our families, enjoying recreational activity, and sharing important occasions with loved ones are all valuable components of healthy living. When these cherished aspects of life are threatened by injury, surgery or natural aging, physical therapy helps restore what has been lost.
Because physical therapists are experts in healthy movement and function, they are not confined to only treating people after surgery or severe dysfunction. A large part of a physical therapist’s role is directed at preventing injury, loss of movement, and even surgery through early conservative care. For example, physical therapists can consult to improve the design of the workplace, in order to reduce the risk of overusing certain muscles or developing low back pain while working. They also provide services to recreational athletes, such as golfers or tennis players, to screen for potential problems and institute preventive exercise programs. Or, oftentimes, they address issues with gait and balance in order to prevent falls that can result in severe complications and permanent limitations.
The cornerstones of physical therapy are manual (“hands-on”) intervention, therapeutic exercises and functional movement training. In its best moments, physical therapy relieves pain, restores motion and then increases strength to make that movement meaningful in real world situations. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, a good physical therapist educates – enabling patients to own their success and maintain it for years to come.
Do I need a doctor's referral for physical therapy?
The state of Florida allows for you to see a physical therapist without getting a prescription from a physician, allowing you to get direct access to a physical therapist. If you require care beyond 30 days, then the therapist will refer you to/back to a physician.
Seeing a physical therapist first is safe and could save you hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars. Click here for details.
Can I go to any physical therapy clinic?
As a patient, you have the right to choose any physical therapy clinic. Our practice is a provider for most insurance plans.
The best thing to do is give us a call and we will work to answer all of your questions.
Why I should choose a private practice physical therapist?
Ultimately, you need to find a practice where you feel most comfortable. There are good, qualified therapists practicing in all settings, you just want to make sure that they have all the advantages and support they need to provide the quality treatment that you need.
Often times, private practices are better positioned to offer patients one-on-one, personalized treatment. When choosing a physical therapy practice at which to receive your treatment, consider whether they value the following:
- Establishing the optimal number of visits suited to your personal circumstances? Or do you get the sense that every condition like yours is offered a plan of care with a set number of visits?
- Dedicated attention to you during each appointment? Or will you be spending a good deal of time left unattended while you complete a rotation on a machine?
- Visits directed by and spent with a physical therapist? Or will most visits following your initial evaluation be spent with a physical therapist’s assistant (PTA) who will be following the plan of care outlined by the physical therapist following your initial visit?
- Continuity of the same therapist treating you during all of your visits? Or will different therapists be treating you at each visit throughout your plan of care?
We have built our practice to ensure that the same physical therapist can spend personalized, dedicated time with each patient at each visit. We believe that we can provide you with the highest quality of care available and will work closely with you to meet your personal goals.
Insurance & Payments
Will insurance cover my treatment?
In most cases, insurance will cover your treatment. We accept auto accident, personal injury and most health insurance plans, including Medicare. However, we recommend you call or email us directly so that we can determine your specific coverage. Our Office Manager will work with you to ensure you maximize the benefits of any insurance that could apply to your circumstance (e.g., medical, auto, etc.). Visit our insurance and payments page to find out about accepted insurance plans and other payment options.
How will I be billed for anything my insurance doesn't cover?
Patient responsibilities (e.g., copays, coinsurance, cash payments, etc.) are due at the time of service.
Does Medicare cap the number of visits I have with a physical therapist?
In 2018, limits on how much Medicare pays for physical therapy services in one calendar year (also called “therapy caps” or “therapy cap limits”) were eliminated by Congress, recognizing that treatment often allows older Americans to maintain their independence and remain at home rather than go to a nursing home or other long-term care facility. As long as treatment is deemed medically necessary, Medicare will continue to pay for services.
