LOTS: Taking control of your healthcare

**(L to R): Chase Patterson, DPT; Jordan Taylor, DPT; Cody Lambert, PTA; Alyssa Bradshaw, DPT**

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Take Control of Your Healthcare: Direct Access to Physical Therapy Means Treatment Right Away

As of 2016, Louisiana is a direct access state. This means that legislation in Louisiana was passed allowing licensed physical therapists to evaluate and treat patients without first seeing a physician. As a direct access patient, you do not need a prescription from your physician to receive out-patient physical therapy. You may start treatment as soon as you feel pain!

As a direct access provider, we utilize our skills and training to the fullest to offer interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations and disabilities related to movement and restoration of function. Our expert physical therapists evaluate a patient’s condition and identify ways to resolve and improve musculoskeletal and neuromuscular issues. Our therapists are also trained to recognize any indications which make a referral to another appropriate healthcare provider necessary.

[Source: American Physical Therapy Association]

DIRECT ACCESS ADVANTAGES:

Reduces healthcare cost for patients and for Louisiana.
Direct access states have found that patients have 86% fewer visits on average than referred patients and no unnecessary co-pays or imaging.
Reduces opioid use through the use of mechanics, not pain pills.
Louisiana is one of 13 states with the highest number of painkiller prescriptions.
Allows for prompt attention and service.
Ability to choose your physical therapy provider.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Does Direct Access Work?

You may come directly to Legacy Outpatient Therapy Services, LOTS, to receive an evaluation and treatment for any pain. That means we can treat that acute or chronic shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, neck, back, hip, knee, ankle, or foot injury right now! Upon completion of your Physical Therapy Evaluation, we will determine your treatment plan. If further diagnostic tools (e.g., x-ray, MRI, etc.) are needed to ensure proper care, we will communicate our findings with your primary care provider and/or orthopedic specialist, if necessary!

What can we treat at LOTS and what special services do we provide?