Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Do you take Insurance?
Yes! We accept Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, MVP, Independent Health, Medicare, United Healthcare and Aetna. For your piece of mind, contact your insurance company prior to your first session to see if we are in network with them.
Do I need a referral from my medical doctor to come to physical therapy?
Generally, no. However some plans (such as Medicare) do require them. Contact your insurance provider to see if your policy requires it.
New York State law states that patients can initiate and attend outpatient PT services for 10 visits OR 30 days, whichever comes first without a referral. At that time, if more treatment is needed, a referral will be needed.
How much does it cost?
You may be responsible for copay, deductible or co-insurance for your visits. Your fees are determined by the policy you have.
If you don’t have insurance, or have a policy we do not accept, you may pay privately for your treatment. Evaluations are $125 and follow ups are $75.
What payment methods do you accept?
Most major credit cards are accepted, including Flex-spending/HSA cards. We also accept cash or checks.
Will Pelvic PT help me?
For many conditions, pelvic floor PT can have profound effects. Treatment includes more than just improving bowel, bladder or sexual function. All the therapists at Evolve strive to give you the tools you need and support you through recovery.
Who can benefit from Pelvic Floor PT?
We treat ALL people with pelvic floors! In addition to adults of all gender identities, we also treat children who are generally 4 or older. Common childhood pelvic floor issues include constipation, soiling issues, urinary incontinence and others.
How long are the sessions?
Appointments typically last 30-40 minutes. All sessions are one-on-one with your therapist.
What will my first appointment be like? What should I wear?
The first part of your appointment we will be asking you a lot of questions to help us understand your condition and how it’s been affecting you. Filling out your intake forms online prior to the session means we’ll need less time clarifying details of what brings you in.
These are personal issues and may be challenging for you to discuss openly. Know that all our conversations are entirely confidential and the more complete history you can provide, the better we can understand your problem and develop a personalized treatment plan. We will look at your posture, range of motion, strength, breathing strategies, balance and endurance. Assessment may include an internal pelvic floor assessment, either using rehabilitative ultrasound or palpation, see below. We will look for any imbalances that may be contributing to your problem.
Please wear flexible clothing to your appointment and avoid stiff jeans etc.
Is an internal exam necessary? How does that work and what happens?
Internal pelvic muscle examinations are the gold standard for understanding problems “down there”. Think of it this way, you wouldn’t go to a dermatologist and ask them to assess your skin through your clothes. Pelvic Floor PT’s have specific training to assess the muscles, nerves and connective tissues that make up the pelvic floor, and we do this by performing a single gloved finger internal exam of the vagina and/or the rectum, depending on what area we need to assess. You will be asked to provide consent prior to any assessment or treatment, and you can change your mind at any time. Note: There are no stirrups or speculum involved in pelvic floor physical therapy! We will talk you through the entire exam, you will provide feedback about any areas of discomfort, altered sensation or limited mobility.
However, not everyone is comfortable with an internal exam, and your job is to let us know what those boundaries are so we can determine how best to proceed. There are several conditions that can be treated successfully using external techniques if you do not wish to have an internal exam.
