Physical Therapy FAQs in Louisville, KY
Clinical Approach Designed by Dr. Brandon Evans, PT, DPT | Kentucky Is a Direct-Access State | No Physician Referral Required
Straight Answers About Cost, Scheduling, and What to Expect
Most questions about physical therapy come down to the same few things: what it costs, whether you need a referral, and what actually happens once you're being treated. Below are direct answers to the questions we hear most often from patients in the Louisville area, organized so you can find what you're looking for quickly.
If your question isn't covered here, call or text us at (502) 512-2165 and we'll answer it directly.
Talk to us first — complimentary, no pressure, no obligation.
Prefer to text or email instead? Same number: (502) 512-2165.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
Do I need a doctor's referral to start physical therapy in Kentucky?
No. Kentucky is a direct-access state, which means you can start physical therapy at ProActive Physical Therapy and Wellness without a physician's referral. Medicare requires a physician's certification of your plan of care to bill Part B, and some insurance plans have their own requirements, so call or text us and we'll walk you through what applies to your specific situation.
What conditions and injuries do you treat?
We treat neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow, wrist, and hand pain, back pain, sciatica, hip pain, knee pain, and foot pain, along with balance and fall-risk concerns and injuries from auto accidents and workplace incidents, for adults 45 and older in the Louisville area. Each page above covers symptoms and treatment specific to that condition in more depth.
What is a complimentary consultation, and what happens during it?
It's a short call with a physical therapist, not a sales pitch. We talk through what's going on, what you've already tried, and whether physical therapy is the right next step for you, before you commit to anything. There's no pressure and no obligation either way.
How do I prepare for my first physical therapy session?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that lets us see and move the area we're treating. Check your email beforehand for new patient paperwork, and bring any relevant imaging or physician notes you have. Your first session includes a full evaluation, so plan for it to run longer than a typical follow-up visit.
How soon can I be seen?
Most new patients are seen within a few days of reaching out. Call or text us at (502) 512-2165 and we'll find the soonest opening that works for your schedule.
Insurance, Medicare, and Payment
Do you accept insurance?
We're not in-network with commercial insurance plans. We do accept Traditional Medicare Part B, and we provide the documentation many clients need to submit for out-of-network reimbursement on their own. Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account funds can be used for our services, we offer payment plans, and we accept CareCredit financing. Call or text us and we'll walk you through what makes sense for your situation.
Does Medicare cover physical therapy at ProActive?
Yes, for Traditional Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient physical therapy, typically at 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after your deductible is met, once a physician has certified your plan of care. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, coverage varies by plan, so let us know what you have and we'll confirm what applies before you start. Our Medicare Physical Therapy page covers this in more detail.
Can I still be treated here if you're out-of-network with my insurance?
Yes. Most of our clients are on private-pay or Traditional Medicare Part B rather than commercial insurance. Talk to us first, and we'll make sure physical therapy at ProActive is a good fit before you invest any time or money.
Auto Accidents and Workers' Comp
Do you treat injuries from car accidents or workplace injuries?
Yes. We treat whiplash, back and neck strain, and other soft-tissue injuries from auto accidents and workplace incidents, with a plan built around your specific evaluation. Our Auto Accident and Workers' Comp Physical Therapy page covers billing, documentation, and referral requirements for these cases in more detail.
Do you accept PIP or workers' comp claims?
Yes, for active PIP coverage or an accepted workers' comp claim. We do not accept liens or defer payment until a case settles, so we'll confirm your coverage status with you before your first visit.
Do I need a referral for a car accident or workers' comp injury?
It depends which one applies. Kentucky is a direct-access state, so a PIP case from an auto accident generally doesn't require a referral. A workers' comp injury is different: care is coordinated through your designated treating physician, who directs referrals for further treatment. If you're not sure which applies to you, call or text us and we'll help you sort it out.
What to Expect in Treatment
How many physical therapy sessions will I need?
It depends on your specific condition and how long you've had it. Your physical therapist will give you a realistic estimate after your evaluation, not a generic number. Many people notice meaningful change within the first several sessions, though a complete plan is built around your evaluation, not a fixed timeline.
Will I get exercises to do at home?
Usually, yes, once the timing is right for your specific plan. Every exercise we give you is chosen to move your specific goals forward, not pulled from a generic handout.
How is physical therapy different from chiropractic care?
Physical therapy focuses on identifying the root cause of your pain and building the strength, mobility, and movement patterns that keep it from coming back. We use manual therapy techniques, including joint mobilization and soft tissue work, but the core of treatment is a personalized, progressive exercise plan aimed at lasting resolution rather than repeat visits.
What happens if I wait to see whether my pain resolves on its own?
Some minor issues do resolve without treatment. But if pain has already lasted several weeks, the more common pattern is stiff or restricted joints paired with weak, deconditioned muscles around them, and that combination tends to get harder to resolve the longer it goes unaddressed. A thorough evaluation is the fastest way to find out which situation applies to you.
What regenerative therapies does ProActive offer during treatment?
We offer several regenerative and recovery therapies that can be added to an active physical therapy plan to support pain relief, tissue recovery, and consistency: extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), PEMF, red light and near infrared light therapy, and dry needling. These are used during your course of care, not as a replacement for it, and your physical therapist will only recommend one if it's a good fit for your specific evaluation.
After Physical Therapy
I've finished physical therapy. What's next if I want to keep building strength?
A lot of patients want a next step once their episode of physical therapy ends, so they don't lose the progress they made. That's what our wellness programs are for. The ProActive Osteogenic Strength Program is designed for adults with osteopenia or osteoporosis, and the ProActive Strength For Life program is a broader strength and movement program for adults 45 and older. Both are guided wellness programs, not physical therapy, and pick up where your PT episode leaves off.
What wellness programs does ProActive offer after physical therapy?
Once your physical therapy episode ends, two guided wellness programs help you keep building on that progress: the ProActive Osteogenic Bone Strength Program for adults with osteopenia or osteoporosis, and the ProActive Strength For Life program, a broader strength and movement program for adults 45 and older. Neither is physical therapy, and neither is billed to insurance or Medicare. Visit our Wellness Programs and Regenerative Therapies page for the full lineup, including our regenerative therapies, or call or text us and we'll help you figure out what fits.
How do I get started?
Call or text us at (502) 512-2165, or email info@proactiveptlou.com. We'll talk through your situation and figure out together whether physical therapy is the right next step for you.
Talk to us first — complimentary, no pressure, no obligation.
Prefer to text or email instead? Same number: (502) 512-2165.
Why ProActive
- Every plan is built around your specific evaluation findings, never one-size-fits-all
- Kentucky is a direct-access state, so you can start without waiting on a referral
- Delivered by our licensed physical therapy team, with a clinical approach designed by Dr. Brandon Evans, PT, DPT, grounded in evaluation, not generic exercise sheets
Visit Our Louisville Clinic
Serving Lyndon, St. Matthews, Hurstbourne, and the greater Louisville, KY area.
Sources
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare coverage of outpatient physical therapy services, Medicare Part B. Medicare.gov.
Kentucky Board of Licensure for Physical Therapy. Direct Access to Physical Therapy Services in Kentucky.
