No. The State of Maine allows any person to receive physical and occupational therapy for 10 visits or 30 days (whichever comes first) without a referral from a physician. However, certain insurers and insurance policy types require a referral before treatment will be authorized. Worker’s compensation does not allow treatment without a doctor’s referral. If you have any questions regarding your physical or occupational therapy benefits, please call your insurance company for information. We have provided an outline for your assistance when verifying physical and occupational therapy benefits.

Click here for the patient insurance information outline

Upon your arrival you will check in with our front desk personnel. For your convenience, the New Patient Introduction Letter and New Patient Registration Form may be downloaded and completed prior to your arrival. If you have not brought them with you, please arrive a few minutes early in order to complete these forms prior to your appointment. After the paperwork is completed, you will meet with your treating therapist in a one-on-one setting for a comprehensive evaluation. If time permits, you will then receive treatment for your condition. Please allow approximately 1 hour for the first initial visit. Subsequent visits are generally 30 to 45 minutes depending on your condition and your Plan of Care created by your treating therapist.

At your first visit you will be asked to provide a copy of your insurance information, your doctor’s referral (if required) and any reports & diagnostic tests you may have received.

Because no two people and no two conditions are the same, we cannot say what your treatment will consist of until you are evaluated. Generally, visits are comprised of a combination of manual or hands-on treatment, therapeutic exercise, and modality such as moist heat, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation. Also, prefab or custom splinting may be appropriate for your condition and your custom “Plan of Care”.

This varies greatly with diagnosis, the severity of your condition, medical history, general health and adherence to your home exercise program. You and your treating therapist will usually discuss this during your first appointment.

As a courtesy to our staff and your fellow patients, we kindly request that everyone arrive promptly for their scheduled appointment. Showing up late for an appointment may result in an abbreviated or canceled treatment session. Seacoast Hand Therapy prides itself on allotting enough time for one-on-one personalized treatment sessions, therefore, a missed or late appointment can greatly affect the patient’s treatment plan, the schedule, and fellow patients that are in need of a sooner appointment. Please call at least 24 hours in advance when you know that you will not be able to keep an appointment so that we may use this allotted time for another patient.

Since insurance policies vary and are usually individually specific, you may be responsible for deductibles, co-pays, and/or coinsurance due at the time of your visit. Please call your insurance company if you have any questions regarding your policy and the benefits available to you for physical and occupational therapy, as well as DME (durable medical equipment).

Click here for the patient insurance information outline.