What is HPT?

Who is on the Clinical Staff?

What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?

What do the letters stand for after the therapist name?

What Services are provided?

What experience does your staff possess?

Who owns HPT?

What is Physical Therapy?

Do I need a Doctors Referral?

What should I expect on my first visit?

What type of Evaluation will be used?

How long will my visit last?

Will I have homework?!?

How often will I need to come to Physical Therapy?

Are my Medical records available?

Can other people request my records?

Are there any special rules with which I must be concerned?

What insurances do you accept?

What is my payment responsibility?

I have questions, who should I call?

I have a billing problem. Who should I call?

I'm behind in my payments. Who should I call?

Can I speak with my Physical Therapist?

Can you connect me to the HIT Center?

Does my insurance cover Physical Therapy / Pool Therapy / Anodyne Therapy / etc.?

Do you accept credit card payments?

What is HPT? [back to top]

HPT Physical Therapy Specialists is an outpatient provider of Physical Therapy Services. We treat individuals of all ages who experience orthopedic problems, including problems involving muscles, bones, and joints.

Who is on the Clinical Staff? [back to top]

We currently have seven Licensed Physical Therapists, two Certified Athletic Trainers and three Physical Therapist Assistants on staff. Click here for more information regarding our staff.

What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?[back to top]

A Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant works under the supervision of a Licensed Physical Therapist. The duties of a PTA include assisting the Physical Therapist in implementing the treatment programs according to the plan of care, training patients in exercises and activities of daily living, conducting treatments, using special equipment, and administering modalities and other treatment procedures. A PTA must complete a 2-year education program, which typically includes one year of general education and one year of technical courses on physical therapy procedures and clinical experience. Graduates of a PTA program receive an Associate's Degree, and are required to pass a licensing exam in the state of WV.

What do the letters stand for after the therapist name?[back to top]

What Services are provided? [back to top]

• Physical Therapy
• Certified Hand Therapy
• Custom Splint Fabrication
• McKenzie Evaluation and Treatment
• Aquatic Therapy and Aquatic Maintenance Program
• Work Hardening and Work Conditioning
• Work Simulation
• Functional Capacity Evaluations/Isernhagen Evaluations
• Pre-Employment Placement Screening
• Job Site Evaluations
• Job Description Development
• ADA-Compliant Ergonomic Work Evaluations
• Certified Athletic Training
• Custom Brace Measurement
• Custom Foot Orthotics
• HIT (High Intensity Training) Center Programs: Lighten-Up, Speed-Up, and Hit-Fit.
• See our Quality Programs page for more information.

What experience does your staff possess? [back to top]

All of the Professional Staff is Licensed or Certified in their particular area of education and expertise. Some Therapists have additional certification and residencies. Our clinic requires a minimum of fifteen hours of additional training each year. Our staff has from five to 26 years of experience in their field.

Who owns HPT? [back to top]

HPT is locally owned by a Physical Therapist. We have been serving the Tri-State area since 1982. Through the years, we have supported the community in various ways, including sponsorship of the annual Healthy Huntington Marathon, the Marshall Artist Series, and Marshall Thundering Herd sports. HPT has also been a Partner in Education with both Chesapeake High School (Chesapeake, OH) and Huntington High School (Huntington, WV).

What is Physical Therapy? [back to top]

Physical Therapy is a non-surgical approach to restore, maintain and promote overall health. It can help restore function, muscle balance, and good spinal alignment, as well as relieve pain and improve joint mobility. Physical Therapy, as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association, is a Licensed Profession and is practiced by a Licensed Physical Therapist. To earn a license you must graduate from an accredited Physical Therapy Program and then successfully pass a licensing exam. Accredited programs are Master and Clinical Doctorate based.

Do I need a Doctors Referral? [back to top]

The state of West Virginia does not require you to have a doctor's referral before having physical therapy. However, many insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, require a referral before they will pay the portion of the bill that they cover. We recommend that you contact your insurance carrier before treatment to make sure. HPT also requires you to have a referral if you are seeing us due to an auto accident or a work-related injury.

What should I expect on my first visit? [back to top]

You should expect to spend about fifteen minutes at the registration desk. We need to gather information from you, such as your recent medical history, your demographic information (address, phone number, date of birth, social security number, etc), and your insurance information. You can be prepared by having the following items with you: a list of your current medications, your insurance cards, your doctor's referral (if you were given one), and any pertinent surgery, MRI or x-ray reports. You can print some forms to fill out and bring with you to your appointment to reduce the registration time. You can download the forms here.

On your first visit, your Physical Therapist will perform an evaluation to determine what deficits and/or problems you have that can be addressed in physical therapy. The evaluation involves a thorough history, a health history review, and tests and measures that allow the physical therapist to get a more specific understanding of your condition. Your physical therapist will make a clinical judgment as to your diagnosis and prognosis. A treatment program will be developed to resolve the problems you have identified as well as to attain the goals you set in conjunction with the physical therapist.

What type of Evaluation will be used? [back to top]

The Physical Therapist will review the "referral" and then evaluate the symptoms and the underlying pathology. The Physical Therapist will exam your range of motion (ROM), strength of the muscles surrounding the joint, and if any symptoms are produced. We may also evaluate your posture, balance and gait pattern (walking ability).

How long will my visit last? [back to top]

Your first visit will require fifteen minutes to complete the paperwork. Some paperwork can be retrieved from our forms page forms page. The evaluation will require approximately 60-90 minutes. Follow up visits will require approximately 40-60 minutes. Wear comfortable clothing that is loose and does not confine you or your movement. If you have a leg or ankle problem wearing shorts will make evaluation and treatment easier. We provide shorts for your convenience.

Will I have homework? [back to top]

Everyone must become a part of his or her healing process, so your homework will consist of a Home Exercise Program, which is used to speed your recovery and maximize your Physical Therapy visits. Since you need to participate in your exercise program more than just a few times a week, you may be asked to exercise everyday. This maintains the gains achieved during your visit and will improve your results.

How often will I need to come to Physical Therapy?[back to top]

Most patients are seen two to three times per week, but some may need to come more or less often depending on the severity of their condition. Also, the total duration of your therapy will depend on your particular circumstance. The more committed you are to your recovery, the more likely you are to get well faster. Attending all of your scheduled sessions and performing your exercises at home will help speed your recovery time.

Are my medical records available?[back to top]

Your medical records are available to you and anyone you designate in writing. The Physical Therapist will keep records of every physical therapy visit and communicate with your referring physician regarding the findings, treatment plan, and goals of treatment. As you might imagine, your chart may generate a lot of paperwork so there will be a minimal cost in obtaining your records. It is best to request your records upon completion of your care, and you will need to sign a release form allowing us to copy your records. It is our responsibility to make you aware of your privacy rights regarding your medical information. Please review our Notice of Privacy Practices for more information about your privacy rights.

Can other people request my records? [back to top]

By law, your insurance company (including your workers compensation claim manager) can request and obtain copies of your medical records, mainly to review for medical necessity before paying the claim. Your referring doctor may also request your records, or a letter, report, or update on your progress.

Are there any special rules with which I must be concerned? [back to top]

Each insurance company has its own rules. You should call your insurance company (using the customer service telephone number located on your insurance card) or review your plan document to answer any question you have regarding your specific coverage for Physical Therapy. We verify your coverage with your insurance company prior to your first visit, so if we encounter any unusual stipulations, we will notify you as soon as possible.

What insurances do you accept?[back to top]

We accept many insurance plans, but we may not be in network with all of them, which will usually increase your payment responsibility. If you have a question about participation, please give us a call or call the customer service number on your insurance card. Below is a list of some of the insurance companies and networks we participate with:

4Most

Acordia National

Aetna

BeechStreet Network

Carelink

Cigna

FirstHealth Network

Mamsi/Optimum Choice

Medicaid-WV and OH

Medicare

Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield

PEIA

Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)

SelectNet

Tricare

United HealthCare

Workers Compensation-WV, OH AND KY

What is my payment responsibility?[back to top]

We will verify your insurance coverage prior to your first appointment to determine if you have a deductible (and if it has been met), co-pay or co-insurance, and to obtain pre-certification if necessary. You will be expected to make a payment each visit to cover your deductible (if you have one and it hasn't been met), your co-pay, or your co-insurance. If you cannot pay each visit, you will need to establish a monthly payment plan. You can contact Diane at 304-525-4445, extension 27 to make payment arrangements.

If I have questions, who should I call? [back to top]

Phone: 304-525-4445 | FAX: 304-529-7449
Toll-free: 800-225-9672

I have a billing problem. Who should I call? [back to top]

Should you have a billing problem we will do our best to help resolve it. Call (304) 525-4445 and ask for Betty at extension 60. You can e-mail Betty.

I'm behind in my payments. Who should I call? [back to top]

Should you get behind in your payments we would like to help rectify this situation. Call (304) 525-4445 and ask for Diane at extension 27.

Can I speak with my Physical Therapist? [back to top]

You can call our office, but because our therapists maintain a busy schedule, it may be necessary to leave a message. In most cases the therapist will want to have your chart at hand in order to discuss your case with you. The therapist will also want to make a note in the chart regarding your call.

Can you connect me to the HIT Center? [back to top]

The main telephone number is (304) 529-4482. They also have a web site.

Does my insurance cover Physical Therapy/Pool Therapy/Anodyne Therapy/etc.?[back to top]

Most insurances cover treatment, but we would need to call and ask your insurance company what your plan specifically will and will not cover. You may also contact your insurance company to ask questions about your coverage.

Do you accept credit card payments? [back to top]

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.