Questions About Physical Therapy at Atom?
Here are answers to some of the questions patients most often have about getting started, insurance, appointments and physical therapy at Atom.
Before Your First Visit
Do I need a prescription or referral for physical therapy?
Many patients can begin physical therapy without first obtaining a prescription or referral. Requirements can vary depending on your insurance plan and individual circumstances, so please contact us if you are unsure.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Please bring photo identification, your current insurance information if you are using insurance, and any prescription, referral, imaging report or other relevant record you would like your physical therapist to review.
You can see the complete checklist on our First Visit Information page.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily and gives your physical therapist appropriate access to the area being evaluated or treated.
What happens during the initial evaluation?
Your physical therapist will discuss your symptoms, medical history, concerns and goals. The evaluation may include measures of movement, strength, flexibility, balance, mobility and other areas relevant to your condition.
Your findings will then be used to develop an individualized rehabilitation plan.
How long should I expect to be at the office?
Visit length varies depending on the type of appointment and your individual needs. Your first visit may require additional time for evaluation, discussion and treatment planning.
Understanding Your Coverage
Does Atom accept my insurance?
Atom works with many private insurance plans as well as Medicare, Workers' Compensation and No-Fault insurance. Participation and coverage can vary by plan.
The fastest way to start is with our Insurance Checker.
How can I check my insurance before scheduling?
Use our online Check Insurance tool. If your plan cannot be identified automatically, you can submit your insurance information for our staff to review.
What are copays, deductibles and coinsurance?
These are different ways an insurance plan may assign part of the cost of care to the patient. The amount depends on the terms of your individual plan and your current benefits.
Your insurance company is ultimately the best source for detailed information about your coverage and financial responsibility.
What if I have more than one insurance plan?
Please provide information for each current insurance plan. Coordination between multiple plans can affect how claims are processed and what information our staff needs from you.
What if I have a question about a bill?
Please contact the office and we will review the account with you. Insurance processing can sometimes be complicated, and we are happy to help explain what we can from the information available to us.
Managing Your Visits
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can request an appointment through our online scheduling system. Select the service and available time that works best for you and submit your request.
How often will I need physical therapy?
There is no single schedule that is appropriate for everyone. Frequency depends on your condition, goals, progress, medical needs and, when applicable, insurance authorization.
Your physical therapist will discuss the recommended schedule with you after evaluating your individual situation.
What happens during a regular physical therapy visit?
Treatment is individualized and may include therapeutic exercise, movement training, strengthening, mobility work, balance activities, hands-on techniques, education or other appropriate interventions.
What is included in your visit will depend on your condition and rehabilitation plan.
What happens if I am late for my appointment?
Please arrive as close to your scheduled appointment time as possible. If you are running late, we ask that you call or text the office to let us know.
We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate late arrivals when the schedule permits. However, arriving more than 15 minutes late may require us to shorten or reschedule the appointment, particularly when doing otherwise would affect another patient's scheduled time.
We understand that delays happen, and our staff will consider the circumstances whenever possible.
What is your cancellation and missed appointment policy?
We understand that plans sometimes change. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can make that time available to another patient.
Appointments cancelled without adequate notice and missed appointments may be subject to a cancellation or no-show fee. Fees may be waived at the discretion of Atom Physical Therapy management based on the circumstances.
More importantly, if you cannot make your appointment, please call, text or contact our office. Even a last-minute notification is much more helpful than a missed appointment without notice.
What can I do between visits to help my recovery?
Follow the recommendations provided by your physical therapist, including any exercises, activity modifications or other instructions that are appropriate for you.
If something causes unexpected difficulty or you are unsure about an instruction, discuss it with your physical therapist rather than guessing.
How We Can Help
What types of problems do you treat?
Atom provides physical therapy for a wide range of orthopedic, musculoskeletal, neurological, balance, mobility and post-surgical rehabilitation needs.
Visit Our Services for an overview.
Do I need to be an athlete to come to Atom?
No. Physical therapy is for people of many ages, activity levels and functional abilities. Treatment is based on your individual needs and goals rather than whether you participate in sports.
Do you provide post-surgical rehabilitation?
Yes. Atom provides rehabilitation following many orthopedic procedures, with treatment planned around your surgery, medical guidance, functional needs and stage of recovery.
Do you treat balance and walking problems?
Yes. Physical therapy may address strength, balance, walking, mobility and fall risk depending on the underlying problem and individual needs.
Learn more about Balance, Walking & Fall Prevention.
Do you provide neurological and stroke rehabilitation?
Yes. Atom provides physical therapy for people with neurological conditions and for patients recovering from stroke, with treatment focused on functional goals such as walking, balance, strength, coordination and mobility.
Learn more about Stroke & Neurological Rehabilitation.
What languages are available at Atom?
Care is available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Language assistance is also available in Hindi and Gujarati to help patients and families communicate with our office.
We're Here to Help
Contact us, check your insurance, or request an appointment online.