General
What if my doctor doesn’t give me a choice of where to go for my rehabilitation?
You have the right to choose where you would like to go for therapy based on your own assessment of the therapy providers you research. From there, you can call your friends and family and see if any of them have experience with therapy providers. You can ask what their client satisfaction rating is and find out if they are approved as a provider under your insurance policy. Last but not least, you can ask to come in and take a tour of the facility in order to get a feel for the people and environment where you would be receiving services. Based on your findings you can then select the rehabilitation agency you would like to attend, knowing it is meeting your standards for care.
What are the qualifications of the people who provide rehabilitation? Are they college educated? Are they licensed?
These are excellent questions. It really depends on where you go for rehabilitation. Some facilities try to cut costs by having the majority of therapy provided by therapy aides. Therapy aides usually have no formal training in therapy other than that provided by the facilities in which they work. There is no formal accredited educational program and no licensing for therapy aides.
Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Clinical Social Workers, and Nutritionists are required to have college degrees, pass a professional examination, and be licensed by the State of Connecticut. At Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. therapy is provided on a one-on-one basis by licensed therapists, many of whom have Master’s Degrees or specialty certifications. We have never operated by hiring the least expensive, least costly therapists; most of our therapists have years of experience and continuing education behind them and function on the cutting edge of the therapy spectrum. When you come to Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. you can be assured that your therapy time will be spent with educated, well trained, licensed, and experienced clinicians who have your best interest at heart.
How do I know if the rehabilitation services at a facility are covered by my insurance carrier?
Many insurance companies provide a directory of the physicians and medical services that are providers for that company. If you have a provider directory you can check in your directory to see if the facility of your choice is a provider for your insurance carrier. If you don’t see the name you are looking for, call your customer service representative (the number is on the back of your insurance card) and ask. Insurance companies are always upgrading their provider lists, and your provider may be newly enrolled as a provider and not yet in the directory. In addition, you can always call the rehabilitation service provider you would like to use and ask them if they are providers for your insurance company.
Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. is a provider for most insurance carriers in Connecticut. You can find a list of the insurance companies for which we are a provider by clicking on the Insurance tab. In addition, we are adding insurance companies to our roster all the time. So if you do not see your insurance company listed, just give us a call and we’ll be happy to check.
How do I know how much, if anything, a therapy program will cost me?
At Rehabilitation Associates, Inc., before you even walk in the door, one of our business office associates will be in touch with you to get the name of your insurance company and policy so we can check your benefits. That way, there will be no financial surprises for you. We check any deductibles you may have, whether or not you have any co-pays and their amounts, and the number of authorized visits you may have. This information is then shared with you, so we can work together to discuss and solve any concerns you may have regarding coverage for rehabilitation services. Only when you have received all the information on your coverage and costs (if any) and have decided to go ahead with therapy do we schedule you for your first appointment.
What happens once I receive a doctor’s order for therapy?
Once you receive a physician’s order for therapy services, call the office at Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. that is most convenient for you in order to set up an appointment (see Contact tab). We will ask you some basic questions and get your insurance information. We will then call your insurance company to check your benefits. This process usually takes one to two business days. We will call you to set up your appointment. In addition to regular hours, we also offer early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments at many of our locations to accommodate busy schedules.
We do see our clients promptly at their scheduled times. Therefore, for your first appointment it is very important that you arrive at least 15 minutes before your evaluation time so that you can fill out the necessary paperwork. It is also important to bring with you:
- Your physician’s order if your doctor did not already fax it to us
- Your insurance card
- A medication list with all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines you are taking, along with vitamins, supplements, or herbs you are using.
- Your co-payment (if applicable).
Bring or wear loose, comfortable clothing. If you are being seen for a leg, hip, or back problem, please bring a pair of shorts or sweat pants. If your injury was a result of a motor vehicle accident, please bring your motor vehicle insurance company declaration page. You can download and complete the forms you will need by going to our ‘Patient Portal’ tab on our website.
Once you have completed your paperwork, you will be called in for your evaluation. All evaluations are performed by licensed therapists. Your initial visit will take approximately one hour, during which time the therapist will take your medical history and perform a variety of tests and measurements to determine the nature and extent of your problem(s). From this information, along with your doctor’s order, the therapist will identify treatment goals and develop an individualized treatment plan. In the initial stages of treatment it is not unusual for people to be scheduled 2 to 3 times per week for therapy.
In addition to formal therapy sessions, you will be given specific exercises and activities to be performed on a regular basis at home to assist you in your rehabilitation process. The total time you are seen for therapy will depend upon your initial condition, your doctor’s orders, the rate of progress you make, and the number of sessions your insurance company approves.
It is important to remember that you are a partner in your care along with your therapist, doctor, and insurance company. Do not be afraid to make your needs known, ask questions, or express your concerns. It is by working together that we can achieve the best outcomes.
How frequently and for how long are people seen for therapy?
This varies considerably from person to person depending on the diagnosis of the person being treated, the physician’s prescription, how long the person has had the problem, their age, how well the person is able to follow the instructions for continuing the therapeutic process at home, other illnesses the person may have, family support, and many other factors. In general, for someone who has recently had surgery or has a very significant problem, we may see the person quite a number of times per week initially. Then, as the problem becomes less acute, we cut down on the number of visits, and the person carries out more and more of their program at home. In all cases we work closely with the person being treated so that they can begin implementing parts of their program at home. The more a person can follow through with their exercises and activities at home, the better the results of therapy and the shorter the amount of time needed for rehabilitation.
Following your initial evaluation at Rehabilitation Associates, Inc., your therapist will discuss your program, plan with you, including how often you will be treated and approximately how long we expect your therapy to take. The length of time therapy will take is always a ‘best estimate’. Some people progress rapidly through a program while others with the same diagnosis may take longer. Again, the closer you follow your therapist’s instructions for your home program, the quicker your rehabilitation will be.
What types of psychosocial services and support groups are available to me during and following rehabilitation?
People are more than bones, muscles, and nerves. Being injured or becoming disabled, even temporarily, can be difficult, depressing, and a challenge to a person’s ability to cope. How you feel emotionally affects your overall rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. provides Social Work services for people who need help adjusting to a disability or loss; for families who need help coping with role changes and how disability is affecting the quality of their lives; or for people who just need to talk about how overwhelmed they feel by the tasks of daily living. We also help people connect with other facilities in the community that provide assistance and support. It is not uncommon for people to do better with their physical, occupational, or speech therapy once they have some psychosocial support.
We also sponsor support groups for people with particular diagnoses or disabilities and their families. Check out our ‘Support Groups’ tab under the ‘Services’ section of our website.
In addition, we often refer people we see for rehabilitation to other agencies in the community with programs that can help improve their quality of life.
What happens when I am getting close to being done with therapy-do I just finish and that’s it?
Occasionally, a person does finish with therapy, and that is it. However, in most cases it is a good idea to continue some sort of program in your community. Many of the clients we see with back problems, shoulder problems, and orthopedic problems in general benefit from joining a gym in the community and continuing their exercise programs there. But we realize a gym is not for everyone. For people who would like to continue a structured exercise program but are not comfortable going to a gym, we offer a wellness program. Please read more under our ‘Post Therapy Options’ section of our website.
For clients who receive therapy for a condition that is more complicated we may recommend supportive services in the community, with or without a gym program. This could be anything from a daycare program to a support group to an aquatics program at the local YMCA; from the local Senior Citizen’s Center to the bureau of Rehabilitation Services (for people who may need to change their jobs); from a Tai Chi program to help improve someone’s balance to a golf clinic geared toward people with disabilities. One of the services we provide as part of the rehabilitation process is working with people to make connections with medical alternative and/or community agencies. A person should never feel ‘dropped’ from therapy-we can refer people with injuries and disabilities to a vast array of agencies in the community to reinforce and improve their quality of life.
Pediatric FAQ
What therapies does Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. offer?
Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. offers a multidisciplinary team approach to meet your child’s individual needs. Our team of professionals include: Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and a Registered Dietician.
Where does therapy take place?
Therapy can take place at any of our five office locations. Depending on your child’s needs and your geographic location, we can help you choose the location that is best for your child. Currently, all disciplines are offered at our Fairfield and Milford locations. Pediatric speech therapy is offered at all five office locations.
How long has Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. been in business?
We are proud to say that we have been in the business of providing comprehensive, quality care for over 35 years!
Do you take insurance?
Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. is a provider for most insurance carriers in Connecticut. Check out our insurance page for a list of current insurance carriers accepted by Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. However, we are adding carriers all the time, so if you do not see your insurance company on this list, just give us a call at any of our locations. We will be happy to check for you! Our staff will work directly with your insurance company to provide the support and documentation necessary to help you get your therapy needs covered.
What other services or groups do you offer?
Check out our Pediatric Specialty Programs! We offer a wide variety of services to complement our more traditional therapies, including: Aquatic Therapy, Therapeutic Listening, Communication Support Group for Individuals that Stutter, Mommy & Me motor group, and MORE!
How will I know if my child is making progress?
Data is collected at each therapy session, so that our clinicians can carefully monitor your child’s response to the therapeutic activities designed to help your child reach his/her goals. Our clinicians review this date, in conjunction with your feedback about carryover at home, to adjust goals accordingly. We encourage your involvement in the therapeutic process, every step of the way! Your child’s therapist will discuss session activities with you, as well as activities to try at home, so that you can all work together to maximize progress toward your child’s and your goals.
Do you offer parent training?
Yes! Parent and caregiver training is critical to your child’s success in therapy, so again, we encourage your involvement every step of the way. You and your child’s therapist can determine the best way to complete that training, whether it is through a written home exercise program, or joining your child in the therapy session for a demonstration.
Is the therapy all 1:1?
Yes. With the exception of some of our specialty groups, all therapy is 1:1.
What is the education and training of your therapists?
Our clinicians hold Master’s and/or Doctorate degrees in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Social Work, and other related fields. Our therapists attend regular continuing education courses to expand their knowledge and to achieve special certifications in many areas, including by not limited to: PROMPT training, Sensory Integration, Neurodevelopmental Treatment, Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Program, Handwriting Without Tears, Tongue thrust/Myofunctional Therapy, Augmentative & Assistive Technology, and MORE!
I think my child needs therapy. What do I do now?
Because we are a medically based facility, all children require a prescription from their pediatrician to begin therapy. Discuss your concerns with your pediatrician and if a referral to therapy is indicated, your child’s pediatrician can fax a prescription to any of our five locations. Our front office will call you to get all the necessary information to check your child’s insurance benefits, and will help you find a day and time for the evaluation that works with your family’s schedule. Many parents have questions before the first appointment regarding what will happen at an evaluation, what types of strategies/activities will the therapist use, etc. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call! We want you to feel comfortable with the therapy process, so that your child will too!
Is it possible that my child will catch up on his/her own, without therapy?
If you or your child’s pediatrician have concerns regarding his/her development, it is certainly appropriate to have your child evaluated to determine if therapy is indicated. Some developmental difficulties may fall within typical expectations, or may be slightly on the later end of typical, while others may be an area of concern that require intervention. Your child’s therapist will communicate all evaluation findings with you, so that you can work together to develop a plan that meets your child’s need best.
How long will my child need therapy?
The length of your child’s therapy program will depend on his/her specific areas of difficulty, his/her medical history, attendance, and carryover of the therapist’s recommended home exercise program. Your therapist will recommend a frequency (number of times per week) and duration (length of time) based on the results of your child’s evaluations. While some children may only require short term intervention, such as 3 months to meet their therapy goals, others may have a diagnosis (such as Autism) that warrants a much longer course of therapy. Consistent attendance to therapy and carryover of the therapist’s recommendations for a home exercise program are critical to your child’s rate of progress. Your child’s therapist will regularly re-assess your child’s progress toward therapy goals and will discuss with you both progress and recommendations for continued therapy.
My child gets therapy in school/Birth to Three. Can we still come to you?
Many of our pediatric patients receive Birth to Three services to address specific areas of development in the home/community setting or educationally based services in school to help them achieve academic success. Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. provides medically based services, which means that intervention can target any areas limiting your child’s ability to success. It is often appropriate for your child to receive both educationally based and medically based services. With your permission, we are happy to collaborate and communicate with the other professionals involved in your child’s care.