What Can You Do About Long Clinic Wait Times?

Just about every clinic that provides occupational, physical, and/or speech therapy have to put patients on long wait lists these days. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these wait times are only likely to get longer.

BLS says that employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 15% from 2022 to 2032. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for physical therapy services – and this is just one example of the projected demand for therapy services that we will be seeing in the coming years. We can only assume that we will see similar growth trajectories for occupational and speech therapists as well.

This growing need for qualified clinicians is a major challenge that many brick-and-mortar clinics are trying to meet, but space constraints and staffing shortages make it difficult to help every patient in a timely manner.

So, what does this mean for you or (if you are a medical professional) your patients? Do they have to sit on a waiting list forever and cross their fingers?

The short answer is: No!

There is another option: Outpatient in-home therapy services.

Outpatient In-Home, Where Your Home Replaces the Clinic

FeldCare Direct connects patients with PTs, OTs, and SLPs who work on a concierge basis. This means that, with an outpatient referral, patients can see a clinician in their own homes to help them regain function during their rehab.

Outpatient in-home is covered by insurers like Medicare Part B/Supplementals and many other insurance companies. These services help patients from all walks of life. Here are a few examples of why someone may decide to use concierge outpatient in-home rehab:

1. They are having difficulty getting an appointment with an OT, PT, or SLP in a clinic.
2. They do not have easy access to transportation.
3. They are not homebound but feel more comfortable receiving care in their home.
4. They have recently been discharged from home health and would like to continue rehab in their home.
5. They have a tricky schedule, and at-home rehab is easier.

FeldCare Direct provides patients with direct access to concierge outpatient in-home occupational, physical, and speech therapists. The vast majority of patients who utilize this service pay with their insurance. They may use Medicare Part B/Supplementals and many other insurers or utilize out-of-network coverage to pay for OTs, PTs, and SLPs to provide care in their homes. They also have the option of paying a flat fee.

Can Concierge Outpatient In-Home Therapy Provide Faster Service Than Most Brick-and-Mortar Clinics?

FeldCare Direct allows patients to skip the waiting list, use their insurance or out-of-network coverage, or pay a reasonable flat fee and rapidly see a PT, OT, or SLP.

This is a boon to medical professionals with patients who need PT, OT, or SLP services as soon as possible, as they can provide a referral that won’t put the patient on a waiting list. Instead, the patient can access rapid services within their own home and take the next step on their recovery journey. 

If you have a patient you believe would be the right fit for concierge outpatient in-home, call (818) 538-5880 or email intake@feldcaredirect.com today. We are here to help your patients connect with a PT, OT, or SLP who can see them rapidly.