OFF SEASON Sports and physical therapy
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Physical Therapy

Welcome to OFF-SEASON Sports & Physical Therapy

What is Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy?

Orthopedic physical therapy includes treatment of the musculoskeletal system (which is made up of the muscles and bones of the body) that has been subject to injury or trauma. This includes sprains, strains, post-fracture, post-surgery and repetitive injuries. The areas of the body include the neck and back as well the extremities. Sports physical therapy is categorized as orthopedic physical therapy but emphasizes re-training of the body for return to specific sports and daily activities. At OFF-SEASON Sports and Physical Therapy we are equipped to handle the needs of patients on all levels— from the weekend warriors to the professionals to the lay individual.

Approach:

A primary goal of the initial evaluation is to determine what is causing the pain or dysfunction rather than just treating symptoms. A comprehensive history of the injury and/or pain is assessed by reviewing details of a patient’s exercise, work, and play activities. Next, overall strength, flexibility, posture and muscle balance is examined.

Treatment begins with addressing the patient’s pain or acute issues such as swelling and inflammation. Various manual therapy techniques are used to decrease pain, spasms, swelling and improve mobility. Modalities are also utilized for relief of pain and inflammation to include cold laser therapy, electrical stimulation, traction, ultrasound, phono/iontophoresis and biofeedback, etc.

Education on posture and flexibility are the beginning point of treatment; then as pain and inflammation subside, an individualized exercise program may commence. Emphasis is on isolation of muscles in need of strengthening. Also, the implementation of neuromuscular re-education allows us to address any muscle imbalances and movement pattern dysfunctions that may develop via compensation(s)from the injury. Utilizing such systems is what allows us as practitioners to deliver the most effective treatment protocols.

To schedule a Physical Therapy appointment please call:
North Andover 978-688-6181
To save time before your visit please download and complete the necessary forms before your visit:
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Insurance Info

Frequently Asked Questions

At Off-Season Sports and Physical Therapy, we know how confusing and ambiguous health insurance can be.  We are dedicated to making insurance clear and understandable in order for patients to know their benefits and coverage.  The staff is adept at obtaining authorizations and explaining financial responsibilities. We are always more than happy to take the time to assist patients.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office.

We are providers for all major insurances including the following:

  • Medicare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna/Orthonet
  • Harvard Pilgrim
  • Tricare
  • United Health Care
  • Unicare
  • PPOs
  • Tufts (we are out-of-network at this time, but accept patients who have out-of-network benefits, and for HMO if they are also able to obtain an out-of-network referral from their PCP)
  • Workers Compensation
  • Auto or Personal Injury Insurance
  • We also offer a Cash Pay Program
Will my insurance pay for my treatment?
All insurance plans and carriers will vary on coverage for physical therapy.  Our staff encourages patients to call their insurance provider and verify their own benefits prior to their treatment.  It is vital to find out the yearly deductible, the co-pay, and your maximum out of pocket expenses.  You can contact your insurance provider with the contact number that is on the back of your insurance card or you can go to your insurance provider’s website.

Glossary of terms for better understanding of insurance coverage:

  • Deductible:  A deductible is the amount you will pay out of your own pocket before your insurance will begin to pay a portion of your health costs. The amount of a deductible will vary from person to person. Deductibles are typically based on yearly health costs depending on your policy and may include different amounts for families.  It is very important to understand your deductible so you are prepared for any out of pocket costs.
  • Co-payment:  This is the set amount your insurance company will require you to pay each date of service you attend treatment. This will vary from policy to policy.
  • Co-Insurance:  This is a percentage that your insurance company will require you to pay each date of service you attend treatment.  Example: your policy could have an 80%-20% plan. Therefore, this means your insurance will pay 80% of the cost and you are responsible for the remaining 20% each visit.
  • Out-of-Pocket Expenses:  All costs that you pay for are called “out-of-pocket expenses” because you pay for them out of your own pocket.  These costs include copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.
  • Out-of-Pocket Maximum:  This is the most that you should have to pay for your healthcare during a plan period (usually one year). Before reaching the out-of-pocket maximum, you pay for part of your medical care, such as copays and coinsurance. Once you have paid the amount set by the out-of-pocket maximum, your insurance will pay 100% of the allowed amount for your covered healthcare expenses, up to a preset benefit maximum.
  • Pre-authorization:  Some policies will require that physical therapy has a pre-authorization policy before or on your first date of treatment. It is important to be aware of this for your own knowledge and to inform the front office staff so they can begin the process of obtaining authorization for you.
  • Maximum visits:  Some policies will have a set amount of physical therapy visits that are allowed annually per calendar year.  If your maximum visits are met during your treatment and you require continued care, cash pay programs are available.
  • In-Network Benefits:  This means that we are contracted with your insurance provider. If we are in-network providers, we are bound by our contact to accept their determination of all charges and allowed amounts
  • Out-of-Network Benefits:  These are the benefits that your insurance company will consider if we are not a provider for your insurance or in-contract with them. This means you may be financially responsible for a larger portion of the total costs of treatment.
What if I do not have insurance but need physical therapy?
Our office provides a cash pay program that allows patients to receive physical therapy without insurance. Please call our office for more information and rates.

Will the front office staff assist me with my insurance?

Our front office staff is more than happy to assist you regarding insurance questions.   Prior to your first visit to our office, we will contact your insurance and obtain your eligibility and benefits. We strongly advise that you directly contact your insurance provider personally and obtain all your insurance information. Please keep in mind that all benefits are quoted from your insurance company and not an authorization and promise for payment. We encourage patients to remember that insurance policies are subject to change and can vary beyond our control.

If you have any questions that are not covered here, or would like assistance with understanding your insurance coverage, please feel free to contact us.
How long is a physical therapy visit?

Each treatment session will run approximately 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 min depending on your injury and the level of care you require.

What should I expect at my first visit?

Your first visit will encompass filling out proper paper work for you to be seen and an initial evaluation from your physical therapist.  Sometimes your initial evaluation visit can last longer than your typical treatment visits.  Also, you will receive a home exercise program (if PT deems suitable) for you to complete at home on days you do not come in for physical therapy. Please dress in clothes that can allow access to your injured area for treatment.

What Should I bring with me?

PT prescription from your physician
Insurance card & applicable co-payment
Insurance referral if required
X-ray or MRI reports (not films) if applicable
Clothing to allow evalution of injured area

What Should I wear?

In order to easily evaluate and treat the affected area, you should wear (or bring) loose fitting, comfortable clothing and sneakers (ie. wear shorts for a knee problem, and t-shirt/tank top for shoulder problem).

How much does Physical Theapy cost?

Here at OFF-SEASON Sports and Physical Therapy we take all major insurances.  However, cash pay options are available if we do not take your insurance (payment plans upon request. Please call for options).

How much is a cash pay treatment?

This varies depending upon injury and what you would like to have done.  Typically a full 1 hour physical therapy treatment (nuts to bolts) is $75. If it is an initial evaluation, the total cost is $125.

Why choose OFF-Season Sports and Physical Therapy?

We are a multidisciplinary sports orthopedic rehabilitation facility offering the professional athlete treatment experience.  It is a simple one stop shop for combining different disciplines of the allied health profession helping decrease your time spent running around to different locations for different treatments, thus offering you an unmatched level of care for a speedy recovery back to your sports/activities.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy is a health profession that assesses and provides treatment to individuals to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and function throughout life. This includes providing treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors.

What diagnoses can be helped with physical therapy?

At Offseason we treat a wide spectrum of musculoskeletal injuries. We treat anything from a basic muscle strain to complicated post-operative procedures.

What are the hours of operation at your facility?

Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 7pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.

How often will I need to come to physical therapy?

It all depends on the severity of your injury but usually patients come to therapy two times weekly.

Do I need to see a physician before I can receive physical therapy?

You may or may not have to see a physician prior to therapy. Usually, PPO insurances do not need a primary care visit prior to PT where with an HMO, a primary care consult is required prior to PT.

What types of physical therapy treatments does OFF-Season offer?

Refer to our treatments and common injuries tab on the Physical Therapy page.
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North Andover
1820 Turnpike Street, Suite 200
North Andover, MA 01845
p: (978) 688-6181
f: (978) 688-5120