We know you have questions about The Therapy Network and physical therapy. Here’s everything you need to know, organized by topic to make it easy to find the answers you’re looking for.
Starting Care
1. How do I get started?
Referral/Prescription from a Doctor: Your doctor can provide a written prescription or referral for physical therapy. This ensures your insurance coverage is in place and helps your therapist coordinate care with your physician.
Direct Access: In Virginia, patients can start physical therapy without a referral. At TTN, patients can use direct access for up to 30 days before a referral is required. During your first appointment, you’ll complete a Direct Access form with your physician’s information. With your consent, we share your physical therapy notes with your doctor to keep them informed and help with continuity of care. After 30 days, patients are responsible for obtaining a referral to continue treatment.
2. How does Direct Access work at The Therapy Network?
- Immediate Care: Start therapy right away.
- 30-Day Policy: TTN requires a referral be obtained within 30 days for continued care.
- Collaboration with Your Physician: With your consent, we send updates to your doctor from day one.
- Safety and Expertise: Our physical therapists are trained and qualified to evaluate and treat patients under direct access.
3. My doctor wrote a referral to another PT practice, but I want to come to TTN. What do I do?
4. What is a referral, prescription, and authorization?
- Referral: A recommendation from a healthcare provider that you see a specialist, like a PT, for evaluation and treatment. It starts the process of coordinated care but may not include detailed treatment instructions.
- Prescription: A formal, written order from your healthcare provider that outlines the specific treatments, frequency, and duration of therapy.
- Authorization: Approval from your insurance company allowing physical therapy services to be covered under your plan.
These work together to ensure timely, coordinated care with proper insurance coverage.
5. How long is a referral valid?
Insurance & Payment
1.Does TTN participate with my insurance?
2. I don’t have insurance. Can I do physical therapy?
- Immediate Care: Start therapy right away.
- 30-Day Policy: TTN requires a referral be obtained within 30 days for continued care.
- Collaboration with Your Physician: With your consent, we send updates to your doctor from day one.
- Safety and Expertise: Our physical therapists are trained and qualified to evaluate and treat patients under direct access.
3. My doctor wrote a referral to another PT practice, but I want to come to TTN. What do I do?
4. What is a referral, prescription, and authorization?
- Referral: A recommendation from a healthcare provider that you see a specialist, like a PT, for evaluation and treatment. It starts the process of coordinated care but may not include detailed treatment instructions.
- Prescription: A formal, written order from your healthcare provider that outlines the specific treatments, frequency, and duration of therapy.
- Authorization: Approval from your insurance company allowing physical therapy services to be covered under your plan.
These work together to ensure timely, coordinated care with proper insurance coverage.
5. How long is a referral valid?
1. How do I get started?
Referral/Prescription from a Doctor: Your doctor can provide a written prescription or referral for physical therapy. This ensures your insurance coverage is in place and helps your therapist coordinate care with your physician.
Direct Access: In Virginia, patients can start physical therapy without a referral. At TTN, patients can use direct access for up to 30 days before a referral is required. During your first appointment, you’ll complete a Direct Access form with your physician’s information. With your consent, we share your physical therapy notes with your doctor to keep them informed and help with continuity of care. After 30 days, patients are responsible for obtaining a referral to continue treatment.
2. How does Direct Access work at The Therapy Network?
- Immediate Care: Start therapy right away.
- 30-Day Policy: TTN requires a referral be obtained within 30 days for continued care.
- Collaboration with Your Physician: With your consent, we send updates to your doctor from day one.
- Safety and Expertise: Our physical therapists are trained and qualified to evaluate and treat patients under direct access.
3. My doctor wrote a referral to another PT practice, but I want to come to TTN. What do I do?
4. What is a referral, prescription, and authorization?
- Referral: A recommendation from a healthcare provider that you see a specialist, like a PT, for evaluation and treatment. It starts the process of coordinated care but may not include detailed treatment instructions.
- Prescription: A formal, written order from your healthcare provider that outlines the specific treatments, frequency, and duration of therapy.
- Authorization: Approval from your insurance company allowing physical therapy services to be covered under your plan.
These work together to ensure timely, coordinated care with proper insurance coverage.
5. How long is a referral valid?
Useful Links
National Athletic Trainers Association – The mission of the National Athletic Trainers Association is to enhance the quality of healthcare provided by certified athletic trainers and to advance the athletic training profession.
The McKenize Institute, USA – To further philosophies and treatments for spinal disorders developed by Robin Anthony McKenzie of Waikanae, New Zealand. The philosophies and treatments are known internationally as “The McKenzie Method® of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy®.”
American Physical Therapy Association – The American Physical Therapy Association is a national professional organization representing more than 66,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.
National Association of Spine Specialists – Develops continuing medical educational programs to improve physician and other spine care provider competency.
American College of Sports Medicine – ACSM’s Mission Statement reflects this goal: The American College of Sports Medicine promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists – The American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists serves its members by promoting excellence in orthopaedic manual physical therapy practice, education and research, and collaborates with national and international associations.
Starting Care
You can begin physical therapy in one of two ways:
Referral/Prescription from a Doctor: Your doctor can provide a written prescription or referral for physical therapy. This ensures your insurance coverage is in place and helps your therapist coordinate care with your physician.
Direct Access: In Virginia, patients can start physical therapy without a referral. At TTN, patients can use direct access for up to 30 days before a referral is required. During your first appointment, you’ll complete a Direct Access form with your physician’s information. With your consent, we share your physical therapy notes with your doctor to keep them informed and help with continuity of care. After 30 days, patients are responsible for obtaining a referral to continue treatment.
Direct Access allows you to seek physical therapy immediately, without waiting for a physician’s referral. Here’s what you need to know:
- Immediate Care: Start therapy right away.
- 30-Day Policy: TTN requires a referral be obtained within 30 days for continued care.
- Collaboration with Your Physician: With your consent, we send updates to your doctor from day one.
- Safety and Expertise: Our physical therapists are trained and qualified to evaluate and treat patients under direct access.
You can notify your doctor and ask them to update the referral, or contact TTN directly to request care. As long as you have a valid referral or prescription, you can choose TTN for your treatment.
- Referral: A recommendation from a healthcare provider that you see a specialist, like a PT, for evaluation and treatment. It starts the process of coordinated care but may not include detailed treatment instructions.
- Prescription: A formal, written order from your healthcare provider that outlines the specific treatments, frequency, and duration of therapy.
- Authorization: Approval from your insurance company allowing physical therapy services to be covered under your plan.
These work together to ensure timely, coordinated care with proper insurance coverage.
Referrals and prescriptions are typically valid for 30 days from the date they are written. TTN requires a referral within this timeframe to ensure continuity of care and proper documentation for insurance purposes.
Insurance & Payment
TTN participates with many insurance plans, including:
Out-of-network benefits: Sentara/Optima POS/PPO
If your insurance isn’t listed, call us—we’ll help check your plan.
- Flexible Payment Options – Pay per visit or use a payment plan to spread out costs.
- Transparent Pricing – Know your cost upfront before your first visit.
- High-Quality Care – Receive the same individualized treatment from our skilled therapists.
- Select the amount and date of your monthly payment – Select the amount and date of your monthly payment.
- Spread therapy costs over time while keeping your treatment on track – Spread therapy costs over time while keeping your treatment on track.
- Monitor your balance and adjust your plan as needed – Monitor your balance and adjust your plan as needed.
After an accident, you may work with an attorney who recommends physical therapy. You’ll choose your PT clinic, come in for an evaluation, and begin treatment. Coverage varies depending on your situation, and bills may be handled in one of four ways:
3rd Party Insurance: Coverage through the person who caused the accident. TTN assists with gathering needed details.
Attorney Lien: Your attorney signs an agreement stating TTN will be paid from any settlement. If no settlement is reached, the patient is responsible for the balance.
Self-Pay: You may choose to pay for care directly.
Your Insurance: TTN accepts most major plans and verifies your benefits before treatment.
Appointments & Logistics
Initial Evaluation/First Appointment: Up to 90 minutes for evaluation, goal planning, and starting exercises.
Follow-Up Appointments: Typically 45–60 minutes, depending on your treatment plan.
- Referral/prescription (if applicable)
- Photo ID
- Insurance card(s)
- Questions for your therapist
- Payment for copay or self-pay balance
Your comfort is key! We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows you to move freely and enables your therapist to work on the area being treated. We understand that patients come from all sorts of activities, events, and work, so you are welcome to wear what you are already wearing that day if you prefer. Supportive shoes for exercise are recommended whenever possible.
Restrooms and/or changing rooms are available at all TTN locations for your convenience. For patients participating in aquatic therapy, changing rooms are located within the pool area so you can easily change in and out of your swimwear.
- Go to the Patient Portal Use the link from above.
- Enter Your Email Use the same email you gave TTN at registration.
- Create Your Account
- First Name
- Last Name
- Email Address (must match what’s on file)
- Mobile Phone Number
- How you identify yourself
- Check Your Email for the verification code.
- Enter the verification code in the portal.
- You’re in! Your portal is now active.
Your first visit is designed to give your therapist a complete understanding of your condition and to start your personalized care plan. Here’s what typically happens:
Check-In: Provide your referral/prescription (if applicable), insurance information, photo ID, and any copay or self-pay payment.
Medical & Lifestyle History: Your therapist will ask about your injury, pain, work, and daily activities to understand how your condition affects your life.
Physical Evaluation: A hands-on assessment to test strength, range of motion, posture, balance, and other relevant factors.
Goal Setting: Together, you and your therapist will discuss your goals and outline a plan to help you achieve them.
Initial Exercises/Treatment: Depending on your condition, you may start exercises or receive manual therapy during this visit.
Education & Home Program: Your therapist will teach you exercises or strategies to practice at home to support your recovery.
Duration: Initial evaluations typically last up to 90 minutes to allow time for a thorough assessment and personalized planning.
Tip: Wear comfortable clothing and supportive shoes, and bring any questions you have for your therapist.
- Adult family members may attend your initial evaluation for support.
- After your first visit, adult guests should wait in the reception area.
- Unattended children are not allowed in therapy areas for safety reasons.
TTN has a 24-hour notice cancellation policy.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please call your clinic and speak with a Front Desk Coordinator. We’ll update your treatment plan and help you find a new appointment time.
More than 24 hours’ notice: No fee.
Less than 24 hours’ notice: A $25 late cancellation fee will apply.
No-shows: A $50 fee will apply.
These fees are not covered by insurance and are due before your next treatment. We understand that emergencies happen, and we will do our best to accommodate you whenever possible.
Your Care Team
- Physical Therapist (PT): Evaluates your condition, develops your individualized plan, and guides your care.
- Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA): Implements your plan, helps you perform exercises, coordinates care, and safely progresses your exercises as you improve.
- Physical Therapy Technician: Supports the PT and PTA, assists with exercises, and ensures sessions run smoothly.
For Referring Providers
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Fax a referral to one of our clinics:
- TTN Chesapeake – (757) 548-0647
- TTN First Colonial – (757) 437-4582
- TTN Hague Medical Center – (757) 627-2923
- TTN Kempsville – (757) 474-7931
- TTN Newtown – (757) 351-6021
Need a Referral Form right now? Click here to download a form now.
Marketing@TheTherapyNetwork.com to have a TTN referral pad delivered to your office.