This is a new addition to the website.  This first blog will discuss the benefits of receiving physical therapy/occupational therapy in the home.  In upcoming editions I plan to discuss the difference between physical and occupational therapy and other issues that need to be discussed.

First, if you receive a referral for physical therapy/occupational therapy you have a choice of which company to work with.  Your physician may encourage you to choose one provider but ultimately you have the final decision.  Some considerations for choosing a therapist may include insurance coverage, location, experience, and specialty.

Location

I am going to focus on location and specialty.  People often think of physical therapy/occupational therapy as a clinic or a building.  For most people this is all they are familiar with.  However, in addition to this you may receive therapy in the home.  For many people this is more convenient.  Receiving therapy in the home maybe more appropriate for someone that has transportation issues, young children that you can’t find childcare for or if the issue you are having may be more functional to treat in the home.  This may include safety issues with showering, difficulty with dressing, etc.

For the second part experience/specialty.  When selecting a therapist to treat your problem, look for someone with experience treating the problem.  The therapists at In Home Therapy of Grand Rapids specialize in providing therapy in the home and each one has over 16 years of experience treating clients in their home, we can discover problems that aren’t easily identified.  For instance, we can identify equipment needs to make the home safer or make the task easier. These include the use of night lights, having clear pathways to walk.  Providing therapy in the home is also beneficial on addressing problems in the real environment rather than in a clinic trying to simulate your bed or your stairs.

Insurance

For most insurances, they do cover therapy provided in the home.  For instance, Medicare has 2 benefit levels: Medicare A and Medicare B.  The Medicare A benefit covers therapy in the home, but an individual must meet strict guidelines.  For Medicare B, this is the benefit that covers therapy at a clinic.  This is also the benefit that covers In Home Therapy of Grand Rapids providing your therapy in the home.  Under the Medicare B benefit, the strict guidelines of Medicare A are not required.

If you have any questions feel free to email or call to discuss your situation.

Tim Batt, PT