Common Questions about Therapy

Do I need a prescription for therapy?

Yes, your doctor must provide a prescription.

What Do I Need to do to Schedule an Appointment?

If you have any questions, or need more information, please call us at 740-446-5121 or 1-800-816-5131 (Gallipolis), (740) 395-8367 (Jackson), or contact Holzer Health Systems.

Do you offer early and late appointments?

Yes. We try our best to meet your scheduling needs.

What can I expect my first visit?

• Paperwork! You will need to arrive for your initial visit approximately 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. Please bring your prescription and a copy of your insurance card. It is imperative that we have your prescription in hand prior to your treatment; without it, we will have to reschedule.
• Your therapist will ask a series of questions including past medical history/present injury. A variety of tests will be completed including Range of motion (ROM), Manual Muscle Test (MMT), and gait (how you walk).
• Your initial visit will take approximately one hour. Subsequent visits will range from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your needs.

What should I wear?

Loose fitting clothing and non-skid shoes.

What are the costs related to therapy?

It depends on your insurance and the coverage limits of your insurance. Our departmental secretary will verify coverage for you and explain your situation with you prior to scheduling an appointment.

Will my insurance pay for my therapy?

A common misconception is that your insurance will not cover the therapy you require. While your insurance may have a coverage limit, most insurances are accepted for Medical Therapy Center services, including Aetna and Workers Compensation. Our departmental secretary will be happy to verify coverage for you prior to scheduling an appointment. No advance payment is required. The Hospital can also make arrangements for payment on your patient account.

• Most insurance companies do cover outpatient therapy; however, a number of private insurance companies require pre-authorization for outpatient services. Without this approval, your claim my be denied.
• Workers Compensation requires pre-authorization prior to initiation of therapy. This form will be prepared by your physician.
• Medicare will pay 80% of services provided. This will leave a remaining 20%.

Medicare services are provided at the 80/20%. Most secondary insurances will cover the remaining balance. Hospital based outpatient services are exempt from the current Medicare cap!

If someone does not have insurance a self-paid payment plan can be established with the business office.  NOTE: This applies only to Holzer Health Systems - not Holzer Clinic.

Will I need to obtain the pre-authorization from my insurance company?

No, as service provided by Holzer Medical Therapy Center, we will contact your insurance provider to obtain pre-authorization.

What if I do not have insurance or if my insurance does not cover therapy?

If you do not have insurance, Holzer Business Office will work with you to work out a self-payment plan so that you can get the therapy that you need.

Is Holzer Medical Center's Therapy Department Affected by Medicare Therapy Cap?

The Medicare Therapy Cap, an annual financial limit on the amount of the services Medicare will cover per beneficiary, went into effect across the country September 1, 2003. The Cap, which applies to all outpatient therapy settings except hospital-based outpatient therapy, is a combined limit per calendar year of $1,740 for physical and speech therapy. An additional $1740 cap is also applied to occupational therapy.

Holzer Medical Therapy Center of Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis, and the Therapy Department of Holzer Medical Center - Jackson are pleased to remind their patients and the community that the Cap does not affect outpatient services provided by the Hospital. The Cap applies to outpatient therapy services furnished by rehabilitation agencies (including comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities), physicians' offices, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and physical therapists in private practice. Therapies provided in the hospital setting are not affected by the Cap, and therefore do not involve Medicare participants who partake in outpatient therapy at Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis or Holzer Medical Center - Jackson.

"Due to our hospital-based setting, we feel fortunate that the services we provide are exempt from the Medicare Cap," said Stella Barrett, OTR/L, Manager of the Holzer Medical Therapy Center in Gallipolis. "Our knowledgeable and caring staff can continue to offer the quality services our patients need without the worry of limiting their therapy appointments."

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