Direct Access

Direct Access means you can schedule an appointment with a physical therapist without waiting to see another healthcare provider first.

This may be helpful if you are dealing with:

Foot, ankle, knee, hip, or lower back pain

A new injury or flare-up

Difficulty walking, running, exercising, or returning to sport

Mobility limitations affecting daily activities

Pain that is not improving with rest

A need for movement assessment, rehab guidance, or injury prevention

Your physical therapist will perform a detailed evaluation, explain what may be contributing to your symptoms, and create a personalized plan of care.

Under New York State Direct Access rules, physical therapy treatment without a referral is limited to:

10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first.

After that point, a referral from an appropriate healthcare provider may be needed to continue treatment.

New York State also requires that patients receiving treatment without a referral be given a written Notice of Advice, which explains that physical therapy may not be covered by insurance without a referral, depending on the patient’s health plan.

Direct Access means you may legally begin physical therapy without a referral, but insurance coverage is plan-specific.

Some insurance plans may cover physical therapy under Direct Access, while others may still require a referral, prescription, authorization, or plan-specific documentation for payment. New York State notes that third-party payers may still require a referral for reimbursement even when Direct Access treatment is legally allowed.

Before beginning care, our office can help review your benefits and let you know if your plan appears to require a referral.

Direct Access is appropriate for many orthopedic and movement-related concerns, but physical therapy is not a replacement for emergency or medical care.

You should seek medical attention first if you have:

Severe trauma or suspected fracture

Sudden loss of strength, sensation, or coordination

Chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting

Signs of infection, fever, or unexplained swelling

New bowel or bladder changes

Unexplained weight loss, night pain, or symptoms that do not match a typical musculoskeletal pattern

If your physical therapist identifies symptoms that require medical evaluation, you will be referred to the appropriate provider.

At Evolve Performance PT, care is one-on-one, individualized, and focused on helping you understand the root cause of your symptoms — not just temporarily calm them down.

We specialize in:

Foot and ankle rehabilitation

Lower extremity injuries

Lower Back Pain

Running and walking-related pain

Post-injury and post-operative rehab

Strength, mobility, balance, and performance-based care

Whether you are dealing with pain, returning to activity, or trying to prevent an injury from becoming worse, Direct Access can help you start sooner.