Keep up with the latest chiropractic news and insights from the industry's trusted legal partner, Ged Lawyers. Here is an overview of the most important stories in the physical therapy field in Florida.
In late 2022, Active Stretch opened its first location in East Fort Myers, Florida. The facility is designed to improve clients’ flexibility and physical performance while decreasing pain and inflammation.
A regular stretching routine can reduce the need for physical therapy and shorten recovery times. So, Active Stretch also partnered with FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers East Fort Myers, which is in the same complex. The physical therapy practice focuses on balance, neurological, vestibular, and rehabilitative care, and together, the two practices offer complete care.
“Mobility and flexibility tend to decline over time for a multitude of reasons, including inactivity, aging, and pre-existing medical conditions…Physical therapists, stretch practitioners, and other health care professionals can work collaboratively to help patients achieve optimal health and wellness,” said Stretch Practitioner Isaiah Valcin.
Though cystic fibrosis is usually diagnosed in childhood, thanks to recent advancements, more than half of patients will live past 40. Over the last five years, the lifespan for these individuals has increased, primarily due to innovative treatment, though they still have shorter longevity than average.
Despite these advancements, cystic fibrosis patients will still have breathing and digestion issues that will require lifelong treatment. In turn, the global cystic fibrosis market value is predicted to reach over US $24.35 Billion by 2028.
Physical therapists treat cystic fibrosis patients by removing mucus from their lungs and helping them monitor their nutrition. There are 30,000 cystic fibrosis patients in the United States and a total of around 70,000 in the world.
Patients are applying the “fast-casual” mentality they use for restaurants to make healthcare decisions. Specifically, when choosing where they will receive their healthcare, patients are increasingly prioritizing transparency, convenience, affordability, and personalized relationships.
In a 2019 survey, patients noted that convenience and access were the most important factors when making healthcare decisions. This so-called “convenient” care has driven the trend of in-house, often primary care clinics opening in easy-access locations like drugstores. Many of these clinics also provide extended hours and flexibility for drop-in appointments.
While this mentality started out in primary care, it is increasingly bleeding into specialty care, as well.
“Traditional factors such as insurance and referrals have given way to a type of “fast-casualization” … in other professions — from dentistry to physical therapy to urgent care, where quality and convenience coexist within the same service offering,” wrote Peter Holt for Chiropractic Economics.
Paytient, a fin-tech startup offering interest-free health payment accounts, has raised $63 million in two funding rounds. The company would allow Americans to pay for healthcare costs with a Visa credit card. In turn, the company would pay healthcare providers in full while allowing its clients to pay back what they owed in a payment plan.
“Our mission is to improve the ability of the population to access and afford care. We think smoothing and removing the pain of paying for care puts people in a better place. And it’s something that I think employers particularly going into recessionary times are mindful of,” Paytient CEO Brian Whorley said.
Any insurance company, employer, or health system can subscribe to Paytient Visa cards. After a patient uses a card to pay a provider, they choose a repayment plan on Paytient’s website.
Physical therapists are often tasked with treating patients injured in car accidents. Under Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, car accident victims should have up to $10,000 to use for their care.
In turn, physical therapists must submit PIP claims to insurance companies to receive payment for their treatment. This is where they can run into trouble. Insurance companies may underpay or fail to pay. For instance, one Florida pain management clinic was owed more than $130,000 in unreimbursed PIP claims.
This is where Ged Lawyers come in. Our lawyers communicate with insurance companies on behalf of our clients, requesting full payment of these PIP claims. We will also litigate if this method doesn’t work - representing our clients until they receive full reimbursement.
Don’t let your revenue stream suffer any longer. Contact Ged Lawyers at (561) 995-1966 or through our website.