Frequently Asked Questions

• Questions about HealthWorks and its Staff
• Questions about becoming/being a patient at HealthWorks
• Financial Questions

Questions About HealthWorks and Its Staff

Is HealthWorks connected with any particular hospital or physician?
No. HealthWorks is a private physical therapy clinic with no outside investors. Although we accept referrals from a variety of medical doctors and other healthcare facilities, none of them profit from their referral of patients to us. There is no conflict of interest.

What do all those initials mean… DPT, MPT, ECS, OCS?
DPT indicates that your physical therapist has a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy. This is the highest level of education in the field of Physical Therapy. MPT indicates that your therapist has a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy. Additionally, some therapists have additional certifications or credentials. Our director, Dr. Matt Hornsby, is one of 3 Physical Therapists in North Carolina to have earned National Board Certification in Clinical Electrophysiology (ECS). Two of our physical therapists, Mr. Mark Blakely and Mr. Kevin McAlister have National Board Certification in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS).

What type of physical therapy do you provide at HealthWorks?
We specialize in Outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Electrodiagnostic Testing (EMG/NCV). This includes physical therapy for pre-and post-surgical orthopedic injuries, Geriatric Rehabilitation including balance training, Sports Injury Rehabilitation, and Back Rehabilitation for acute as well as chronic back conditions.

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Questions about becoming/being a patient at HealthWorks

Do I need a referral from a physician to have physical therapy?
Generally, no. Under the North Carolina Practice Act, Physical Therapists have the prerogative to treat patients without a referral and most insurance companies will reimburse for physical therapy without a referral. However, a few insurance companies do require a physician referral for payment. For example, most Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans do not require a physician referral, but at present Medicare does. Our office staff will be glad to check that for you if that is a concern.

What should I wear for my appointments?
Loose fitting clothes (ex. sweats, T-shirts) and comfortable walking or athletic type shoes are generally best. Because you may be involved in a variety of activities… on the equipment, stretching on the mat tables, etc., we ask that you be modest in your choice of clothing.

How long will each appointment last?
Your first appointment is usually a little longer than subsequent ones because it includes a thorough initial examination. This is very important as it helps set the course for your program. The first appointment generally lasts 1½ to 2 hours. Subsequent appointments usually last 1 to 1 ½ hours.

How long will I have to have therapy?
This varies from individual to individual. You will receive a thorough examination at your first appointment and an individualized program will be set up to specifically address your particular needs. At that point, your therapist will be able to discuss treatment goals and the expected duration of your program.

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Will you be in contact with my physician about my progress?
Yes. Your referring physician will be kept informed of your progress. Please let us know ahead of time when you have follow-up appointments with your physician so we can prepare a written or dictated progress report for each return visit.

I am from out-of-state and my physician there has referred me for Physical Therapy. Will you see me?
Yes… As long as the referral is from a medical doctor(physician) and we can verify that he/she is requesting us to Evaluate and Treat as Appropriate (we do not accept “prescriptions” for care).

What about bad weather?
In case of dangerous weather… snow, ice… please listen to the local radio stations for a closing/delayed opening notice or call the office before you come in.

For your safety, and the safety of our staff, we usually do not open when severe weather makes driving conditions hazardous. When in doubt, call.

Where do I park?
We have ample parking in our upper and lower paved lots. During extremely busy times, we ask that those patients who are physically able, consider using the lower lot if possible. That will leave the closer spots available for patients who have greater difficulty… ex. those recovering from hip, ankle, leg injuries; the elderly, etc. Should you ever arrive, needing a close-to-the-door spot and all the upper level spots are full, please feel free to come inside and let the office staff know that you need assistance. We will be glad to have someone come and park your car for you.

Can my family/friend/spouse/children come back and be with me during my therapy?
For safety, confidentiality, efficiency, and liability purposes, we must ask that family members remain in the waiting area and refrain from entering patient treatment areas of the clinic, unless requested to do so for educational purposes.
Also, as our primary attention must be directed towards serving our patients, unless your children are able to sit quietly in the waiting area unsupervised, we must ask that you make other arrangements for them.

What if I can’t make it to an appointment?
Please call and let us know if you cannot make one of your appointments. Please be aware, however, that we do require that patients maintain consistent attendance. More than 3 absences, for whatever reason, may result in your being discharged from our clinic. We cannot help you get well unless you’re here; and we must reserve time slots for patients who are committed to participating actively in their rehabilitation.

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Financial Questions

Will you file my insurance for me?
Yes. We do this as a courtesy, at no charge to you. If Medicare is your primary insurance, we will also file your secondary insurance for you, if you have one.

Does Medicare pay for Physical Therapy? Are there any limits?
Yes. Medicare will pay but has a limit of $1780 a year for physical therapy treatments. However, a patient may qualify for an exemption from that limit if it is documented that their condition requires continued care. In our experience, Medicare has been generous in extending care for beneficiaries when needed. Your physical therapist will decide if you qualify for extended care.

How can I know if my Insurance will pay for Physical Therapy and if there are any limits?
As a courtesy to you, our office staff will call your insurance carrier prior to your initial examination to verify your benefits. At that time, any limitations will be documented and our office staff will assist you in monitoring them.

Also, if you have any questions as to whether or not we are in your particular Provider Network, just call. Currently we are a Participating Provider for (have a contract with) Blue Cross and Blue Shield NC, Tricare, Crescent, Medcost, Medicare, and Medicaid (under 21 yrs. old).

Do I have to pay my bill at each visit?
If we have verified that you have standard insurance coverage (such as 80/20), you may pay your portion of the bill monthly. We send out Patient Statements at the first of each month. In these cases, payment is not required at the time of your appointments.

If your insurance requires that you make a copay at each visit, then they also require us to collect it per visit.

If you are involved in a litigation case such as a lawsuit or automobile accident in which case payment is not expected until sometime in the future, we do require at least partial payments at each visit.

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