TotalPerformancePT.Understanding your Insurance

TotalPerformancePT.Understanding your Insurance

PHYSICAL THERAPY N E W S L E T T E R

There’s no way around it: health insurance is confusing. Period. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at an Explanationof Benefits, wondering just what you’re looking at, or shaking your head in disbelief over monthly premiums when it comes time to switch up your health insurance plan, know that you’re not alone! (Continued Inside) ALSO INSIDE: • Understanding Insurance Terminology • COVID-Friendly Summer Travel Tips! • Patient Testimonial

UNDERSTANDING Y O U R I N S U R A N C E CO-PAYS, DEDUCTIBLES, AND PREMIUMS...OH MY!

• Healthy Recipe • COVID Update

PHYS I CAL THERAPY N E W S L E T T E R

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSURANCE CO-PAYS, DEDUCTIBLES, AND PREMIUMS...OH MY!

WE’RE VACCINATED! We’re happy to share that all of our physical therapists are fully vaccinated against Covid-19!

Navigating health insurance, and understanding your benefits and coverage is not an easy task. Total Performance is happy to extend a helping hand to our patients in need of assistance when it comes to deciphering what their insurance will pay for in regards to physical therapy treatment. To make things a little easier on you, we’ve defined some common key terms that you may have read in your health insurance pamphlets or seen on your medical bills. Call our clinic today with any other questions you might have! We’re happy to help. Common insurance terms, explained • Premiums: The best place to start is at the beginning, right? A premium is the actual cost of your insurance plan. Your monthly premium is the dollar amount of the bill you

pay each month to keep your health insurance plan active. Plans that have higher premiums cover more services, which means that you’ll have to pay less in medical bills throughout the year. • Deductibles: Your deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance policy kicks in and begins paying towards your covered medical expenses. Your deductible also determines how much money you will pay your physician, therapist, or hospital, and is usually paid at the time of treatment. Depending on what health insurance plan you have, your deductible may be paid once per calendar year, or once per new condition. In the case of the latter, these kinds of deductibles are paid every time you visit the doctor, unless it’s a follow up visit. (Continued inside)

Learn more by visiting our website at TotalPerformancePT.com or schedule your consultation today by calling 215.997.9898 !

U N D E R S T A N D I N G I N S U R A N C E T E RM I N O L O G Y

• Co-pays: Co-pays are often mixed up with deductibles because they are similar. Your co-pay is a fixed amount of money (such as $20 or $40) you must pay out of pocket before your insurance company begins to pay for specific expenses, such as an office visit or a prescription for medication. Typically, this is required instead of a deductible or coinsurance, and requires you to pay a set fee for a specific visit. Most health plans do not count the cost of your co-pays towards your deductible, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company anyways! • Co-insurance: Co-insurance is the term used to describe a percentage of what your insurance will pay to cover your health care costs after your co-pays or deductibles have been met, or if you don’t have any co-pays or deductibles. For example, say your insurance policy has a 70% coinsurance and you have a medical bill of $1,000. Your insurance company will pay 70% or $700. This would leave you with 20% or $200, to pay. • HMO versus PPO: HMO stands for “Health Maintenance Organization.” PPO stands for “Preferred Provider Organization.” An HMO plan grants you access to certain doctors and hospitals within its network. They also may require you to have a referral from your physician to see any kind of specialist. If you see a doctor outside of your HMO plan’s network, you will have to pay the entire cost of your medical services. A PPO plan is more flexible when it comes to choosing a doctor, hospital, specialist, etc. There are fewer limitations on seeing non-network providers. You can also choose to see a specialist or physical therapist without having to be referred first by your primary care physician. The premiums for PPO plans are typically much higher, as are the deductibles. What if Total Performance does not participate with my insurance?

A majority of insurance companies allow their members to see providers that are out of network, with the exception of Medicare and HMO plans. Doing this means that you can choose to see a physical therapist who does not participate with your insurance company. The insurance company will pay a specific amount towards your treatment, but it will be less than they would have paid if the therapist was in-network. Therefore, you will be responsible for paying the difference between what Total Performance charges and what your insurance company pays. Some people opt for out-of-network services because they want to receive care from a specific provider. If you aren’t sure what your out of pocket costs will be, don’t hesitate to ask your physical therapist! What if I don’t have insurance? If you don’t have health insurance to cover physical therapy services at Total Performance, it’s not a problem. You may still receive service by paying us directly, or working out a payment plan with our billing coordinator. Contact us today The list of questions and concerns when it comes to health insurance is never-ending. If you’re interested in speaking with someone about your coverage and benefits, don’t hesitate to contact our office today at 215.997.9898. We’re here and we’re happy to help guide you through the process! Sources: https://www.medmutual.com/For-Individuals-and-Families/Health-Insurance- Education/Compare-Health-Insurance-Plans/HMO-vs-PPO-Insurance.aspx https://www.choosept.com/resources/detail/understanding-payment-physical- therapy-services

If you are recovering froman injury or experiencing muscle aches and pain, contact us today! Our therapists can get you back to leading the pain- free life you deserve! Scan the QR code to book your appointment now!

Learn more by visiting our website at TotalPerformancePT.com or schedule your consultation today by calling 215.997.9898 !

COVID-FRIENDLY SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS! 1. Vaccinate before your trip, if possible. If vaccines are readily available for your demographic and you are able to receive one, it is important to vaccinate as soon as you can. Vaccinations will significantly decrease your likelihood of contracting the virus and potentially spreading it to others, especially while you are on vacation. 2. Opt for a closer destination, if possible. It is no secret that airports still pose a COVID risk, especially if you are traveling with children. If you are able to drive to your vacation destination that would be ideal, in order to avoid coming in contact with large crowds of people. Plus, there are always scenic places to visit right in our backyards! 3. Take advantage of COVID-friendly activities, especially outdoor excursions. Did you know that Vitamin D helps to boost the immune system? A spring break trip is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the sunlight, while also gaining the health benefits! Outdoor activities are a great way to enjoy yourself during your vacation, while also being able to safely distance yourself fromothers and lower your risk of contracting the virus. 4. Pack the essentials – including your mask! Be sure to ask what toiletries and other products are provided before packing your bags. Additionally, make sure to keep extramasks on you in case someone in your family misplaces theirs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommend wearing amask when going out in public areas. Masks work to keep not only you, but others safe as well by stopping the spread of germs.

HEALTHY RECIPE BERRY SMOOTHIE BOWL

INGREDIENTS • 2/3 cup frozen organic raspberries • 1/2 cup frozen sliced organic banana • 1/2 cup plain

• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/8 tsp ground cardamom • 1/8 tsp vanilla extract • 1/8 cup organic blueberries • 1 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes

unsweetened almond milk

• 5 tbsp sliced

almonds, divided

DIRECTIONS Blend raspberries, banana, almond milk, 3 tablespoons almonds, cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla in a blender until very smooth. Pour the smoothie into a bowl and top with blueberries, the remaining 2 tablespoons almonds and coconut.

Hear Why Our Patients Love Us! I attend the East Norriton/Norristown office post-surgery on my knee and therapists Phil & Wayne are both very communicative, knowledgeable, attentive, personable and hands-onwhichmakes a big difference in the recovery process. Much different from what I’ve had in the past! And the aquatic therapy is more one-on-one, no sharing the session which again I find is more personable and effective. I would definitely recommend Total Performance for your rehab & recovery needs! — Bernadette B.

EXERCISE ESSENTIALS

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C O V I D U P D AT E There is a rise in COVID right now however, PT is an essential business, sowe plan to stay open and continue to serve you. We want to take a moment to thank our patients for their continued support throughout 2020 W E ’ R E T A K I N G P R E C A U T I O N A R Y S T E P S

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Learn more by visiting our website at TotalPerformancePT.com or schedule your consultation today by calling 215.997.9898 !