Outpatient Rehabilitation FAQ
- Will my health insurance cover physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy services?
- Is Sanford Bemijdi Peak Performance a provider for my insurance company?
- Do I need a referral (order) from my doctor in order to receive services at Sanford Bemidji Peak Performance?
- Will workers compensation insurance pay for me to receive services at Peak Performance?
- How often do I need to come in for therapy?
- Does the hospital send the bill to my insurance company?
- What should I wear when I come to my appointments?
- What should I expect when I come for my first appointment?
- May I choose the therapist that I would like to see?
- How do I schedule an appointment?
- What are your hours?
- Will I see the same therapist all of the time?
Will my health insurance cover physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy services?
Most health insurance companies cover physical, occupational, and speech therapy services as a part of your benefits. There are various rules for each different policy so we recommend that you call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card to verify coverage.
Is Sanford Bemidji Peak Performance a provider for my insurance company?
Sanford Bemidji Peak Performance is a department of Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. If Sanford Bemidji Medical Center is listed as a provider, your rehab services at Peak Performance will be covered under it.
Sanford Bemidji Medical Center is an approved provider for all major insurance companied in our area. This includes Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medica, Medicare, and Medical assistance.
Do I need a referral (order) from my doctor in order to receive services at Sanford Bemidji Peak Performance?
In the state of Minnesota you do not need an order from your doctor to see a therapist. However, most insurance companies require a physician order if they are going to pay for the service. Currently the only local policies that do not require a physician order is Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.
Will workers compensation insurance pay for me to receive services at Peak Performance?
Yes. You can receive services at Peak Performance for workers compensation related injuries or illnesses. Workers compensation care must have prior authorization for the service before it is received. We will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance to get that approval.
How often do I need to come in for therapy?
Your schedule for therapy will be determined by you, your doctor, and your therapist. Your therapist and doctor will recommend a schedule that will result in the best possible outcome. If you do feel you are able attend therapy as frequently as recommended your therapist will discuss alternative schedules and inform you of how this may affect your recovery.
Does the hospital send the bill to my insurance company?
As a benefit to you, the hospital will submit your bill to the insurance company free of charge. If there is a balance remaining, you will receive monthly statements from the hospital to keep you informed of your balance. You will not receive a final bill until the insurance company and any secondary insurance company has paid their portion.
What should I wear when I come to my appointments?
Wear loose comfortable clothing so you can move freely.
What should I expect when I come for my first appointment?
The first step is to stop at our admitting desk to register as an outpatient. This is an important part of your care so we are sure to send the bills to the correct insurance company. Please bring your insurance cards and physician order if it has not already been send to us.
During registration you will be asked to fill out a medical history from prior to seeing your therapist.
The first treatment visit typically takes approximately one hour. The therapist will ask important questions about how you developed your particular problem which is an important part of treatment. They will discuss what your expectations are as a patient and what the therapist’s expectations are of you in order to get the best possible results.
You will typically receive treatment on your first day.
At the end of the session you will work with your therapist to develop a schedule for the coming days or weeks.
May I choose the therapist that I would like to see?
We do allow requests whenever possible. You may have to wait to get care from the therapist of your choice. If the wait time will likely affect your care we will recommend that you see another therapist.
How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment you need to call Sanford Bemidji Medical Center's centralized scheduling at 218-333-5587. You will need your insurance information and an order from the doctor to schedule an appointment. If you are choosing to pay out of pocket just inform the scheduling staff. The scheduling staff will work with you to find the next available appointment that you can attend.
What are your hours?
Peak Performance provides patient care from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We do have extended hours from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, depending on availability of therapists.
Will I see the same therapist all of the time?
Yes, most of the time you will see your therapists. However, there are times that a therapist may not be available, in these situations Peak Performance uses therapy assistants for physical therapy and occupational therapy. Your care may be shared between your primary therapist and an assistant at times. The assistants are trained and certified to assist the therapists with treatments. If your primary therapist will not be available, he or she will talk to you about a replacement.
