You have "limited direct access" to Physical Therapy in the state of California. This means that you, at any time, can walk in to see any Physical Therapist for a consultation regarding your pain or condition and an evaluation may be performed. Treatment of your condition, on the other hand, requires a diagnosis from a diagnostician (typically an MD or DC). This is why Physical Therapy has been intricately linked with the medical profession. Currently our professional association is attempting to pass laws which will improve your ability to directly access treatment and this may be coming soon.
Only a diagnosis of your condition is needed to access treatment and a prescription is not necessary. What’s the difference? A diagnosis is a medical classification of your condition as it exists or as it will continue to exist. Some conditions are chronic and continue to exist in some form. A diagnosis may be provided, by your physician, at anytime in your medical history. A prescription is a current order, written by your physician, for services provided by a health care professional, in this case a Physical Therapist. You need only provide evidence that you have been examined and have received a diagnosis regarding your specific condition. In other words, you do not need to see your doctor immediately prior to seeing a Physical Therapist if you already have a diagnosis for your condition. The importance of obtaining this diagnosis is to ensure that your symptoms are not caused by a serious medical condition.
Recently the state of California passed a law to allow individuals direct access to Physical Therapy for the purpose of improving your health and wellness. If you do not have a medically diagnosed condition and just want to maximize your physical abilities, you may see any Physical Therapist for a consultation and receive appropriate treatment. Physical Therapists are well qualified to consider your medical and physical histories and help you plan for a physical future. We recommend periodic health check-ups with our Physical Therapist to assist you in musculoskeletal management as you age.
It is important to know that you have a right, as a patient, to go to any Physical Therapist you want and you do not have to go to the therapist that your doctor recommends. The letterhead your referral is written on has no significance. Some physicians have “arrangements” with certain Physical Therapists and exclusively refer to them. This may be a conflict of interest as some physicians/surgeons own their own clinics and employ Physical Therapists. You should select your therapist based on your needs and not your doctors.
It is important to know that not all Physical Therapy is the same and you should carefully consider the benefits of attending therapy at a particular location. Inquire about time spent directly with the therapist vs. other staff members. Inquire about how many patients per hour the therapists are seeing in a location. Inquire about the qualifications/certifications of the therapist who is treating your condition. At Therapy Specialists of Santa Barbara, therapists attend to one patient per hour and are considered to be experts in their respective areas of practice.
You may encounter limitations as to where you can access Physical Therapy if you elect to use your health care insurance to finance your therapy. Therapy offices typically have contracts with insurance companies and you may be directed to a particular office through your insurance. Therapy Specialists of Santa Barbara is a provider for Medicare and Blue Shield of California only and is an out-of-network PT provider for all other insurance companies. For this reason, we offer less than customary rates for cash accounts. | 
