Visits, scheduling & payment
How In-Home Physical Therapy Works
What happens from your first call to your first visit, what to have ready, and how payment and superbills work—so there are no surprises.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (574) 686-7313 (South Bend) or (239) 399-5023 (Naples).
Step by step
From First Call to First Visit
You do not need to know exactly what type of physical therapy you need before contacting us.
- 1
Request Care
Request care online, call, or text us. Tell us where you are located, what is going on, and what you are hoping to accomplish.
- 2
We Follow Up Within 24 Hours
A Doctor of Physical Therapy will personally follow up within 24 hours to answer questions, review your goals, and discuss next steps.
- 3
We Confirm Fit and Logistics
We'll discuss your needs, location, scheduling, and the type of care that may be appropriate. You'll know what to expect—including cost—before the first visit.
- 4
Your Physical Therapist Comes to You
Your PT performs an individualized evaluation and builds a treatment plan around your goals, function, environment, and progress.
Your first visit
A Full Hour, Focused on You
Your first visit is a full 60 minutes, one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We talk through your history and goals, look at how you move, and build a plan around what we find. After that, visits run 45, 60, or 90 minutes, depending on your plan, goals, and availability.
Your therapist brings what the visit needs, including a treatment table and supplies.
What to have ready
- A little space. A small room is plenty—a bedroom works. In most cases, a roughly 6-by-6-foot open area is all we need.
- Comfortable clothing that lets us see and move the area we're treating.
- Imaging, if you have it: X-ray or MRI images and reports.
- Notes from your doctor or surgeon, including any post-operative instructions or protocol.
- Your health history, including past injuries, surgeries, and conditions.
Where and when
Care That Fits Your Space and Your Schedule
Your therapist comes to you. Visits can take place in your home, office, private gym, senior living residence, or another appropriate private space.
Normal Business Hours
Visits are scheduled during normal business hours, at a time we set together.
Outside Business Hours
Need a time outside normal business hours? Those visits can be arranged at a premium rate.
24-Hour Cancellation
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give at least 24 hours' notice.
Where we practice
South Bend, Granger, Mishawaka & Michiana; Niles, Edwardsburg & Cassopolis, MI; and Naples, Bonita Springs & Estero, FL.
Payment and insurance
How Payment Works
ECPT is a private-pay practice, and payment is due at the time of service. We'll go over cost with you before your first visit.
Commercial Insurance
We provide an itemized invoice (often called a superbill) for patients with commercial insurance who wish to seek reimbursement through out-of-network benefits.
Medicare
ECPT is a private-pay practice and does not bill Medicare.
HSA and FSA
HSA and FSA cards can't be used for ECPT visits.
Planning to use out-of-network benefits? Ask your insurance company:
- Do I have out-of-network benefits for physical therapy?
- What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much of it have I met?
- What percentage of out-of-network physical therapy is reimbursed?
- Do I need a referral or prescription to be reimbursed?
- How do I submit a superbill, and how long does reimbursement usually take?
Reimbursement depends on your plan, so we can't guarantee what your insurer will pay.
Questions
Common Questions About Getting Started
Do I need a physician referral?
In many cases, you can begin physical therapy without a physician referral. However, depending on your medical history, surgery, diagnosis, insurance situation, or state-specific requirements, we may recommend or require coordination with your physician.
If you recently had surgery, we are happy to review your physician's protocol or post-operative instructions.
How long are visits?
Your first visit is a full 60 minutes, one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. After that, visits run 45, 60, or 90 minutes, depending on your plan, goals, and availability.
Do I need special equipment or a lot of space?
No. Your therapist brings what the visit needs, including a treatment table and supplies. In most cases, a roughly 6-by-6-foot open area is all we need—a bedroom works.
Do you bill my insurance?
ECPT is a private-pay practice. For patients with commercial insurance, we provide an itemized invoice (often called a superbill) to submit for out-of-network reimbursement.
Do you bill Medicare?
No. ECPT is a private-pay practice and does not bill Medicare.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
No. HSA and FSA cards can't be used for ECPT visits.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
Please give at least 24 hours' notice.
Can you communicate with my doctor or surgeon?
Yes. With the appropriate permission, ECPT can coordinate with other members of your healthcare team when it supports your care.
Ready to Start?
Tell us what you're dealing with and where you're located. A Doctor of Physical Therapy will follow up within 24 hours.
Start with a conversation.
This brief request helps us understand your needs before connecting. We’ll review your goals, confirm your location, and follow up to discuss next steps for private, in-home care.
Prefer to speak directly?
Call or text us at (574) 686-7313 for South Bend / Michiana or (239) 399-5023 for Naples / Southwest Florida.