Frequently Asked Questions
1 / What should I bring to my first appointment?
All completed paperwork provided prior to your first visit, as well as any other information you believe is relevant to your care. This can be past imaging reports, doctor’s appointment summaries, products or treatments you’ve tried, journals or logs regarding your pain, etc.
2 / Do I need a referral?
No. In the state of Rhode Island you do not need a referral for a physical therapy evaluation. If physical therapy management is not indicated, I will recommend a provider you should see instead, typically a Doctor or Dentist. If care needs to continue for greater than 90 days, a visit to a Doctor or Dentist to obtain a referral is required. I will happily keep any referrals you may have on file.
3 / I’ve tried PT before how is this different?
There are a lot of different treatment styles/philosophies out there so I cant speak to what you’ve experienced in the past. My approach starts with a thorough subjective assessment of your TMJ issues and pain: how it impacts your life, what provided you’ve seen, what you've been told, what you’ve tried, what’s been helpful, not helpful, etc. We then do a physical exam of the head, neck, face and jaw, both outside and inside the mouth. Based on the findings, we will put together a plan, typically consisting of a combination of hands on work, self exercises, modifications to any current exercise programs, and education on how you can better manage this moving forward. Follow ups are booked at a frequency that works for you, not a pre-set schedule.
4 / I’m trying to decide if the cost makes sense not to use insurance, any suggestions?
While out of network care isn’t right in every situation, I can provide some information to help determine if out of network care is right for you. First, consider what your in-network deductible is. For those with a high deductible that you have not met, you will pay the full cost of care until that is met. This can range from $100-$400 per visit based on where you go and how the billing is performed. Second, consider how many visits the clinic may anticipate your care. Factor this into your estimated cost per visit. If you have a co-pay, this will be easy to calculate. Third, consider the expertise of the practitioner you are working with. This can help to decide if out of network care makes sense for you.
5 / What payment methods are accepted?
All major credit and debit cards, including HSA and FSA are accepted.