Can I go to physical therapy without a physician referral?

The state of Illinois does allow partial direct access for physical therapy. That means you can come in for an evaluation. If you have a known diagnosis, you can be treated for up to 30 days without a physician referral. If you do not have a known diagnosis, then you will need a physician referral. In most cases, we can evaluate you and send the report to your physician for authorization for physical therapy.

Some insurers allow you to be seen without a referral while others want you to have a referral, so please check with your insurance carrier. When you come in, we can meet with you and decide on the appropriate action.

Successful outcomes depend on good communication between different members of your healthcare team. Therefore, our goal is not to replace your physician but to complement their services. As a courtesy, we always send your evaluation to your physician to confirm any precautions or potential reasons physical therapy might not be suitable for you at that time. We often point out other musculoskeletal conditions to your physician or refer you to the appropriate sources if you need further workup or imaging.

Written By

Zenobia Tantra

PT, DPT, CAPP-PF, CCI, CFeMT

Zenobia is one of the founding members of the company. She specializes in Pelvic Floor Rehab and is one of the few CAPP certified pelvic floor therapists in the country.