09/18/2025
A Very Common Scenario:
I went to the Orthopedic that’s quite a distance from my home & following their evaluation they say, “I’m going to have you try a month of physical therapy, so schedule with PT next door & follow up with me in a month.”
I receive many messages about this exact scenario which revolve around – Do I have to go to the physical therapist my Ortho directly referred me to or subtly suggested I schedule with because I want to go to Advanced PT?
The answer is NO! You can go anywhere your insurance covers. No doctor can make you attend a particular facility or is supposed to specifically refer to a particular facility! The Ortho can spin this scenario a few ways (I am close by if the therapist needs me, the therapist next door specializes in this type of injury etc…), but chances are they have a financial interest in the facility they are directly/indirectly referring you to, so please know your rights.