Why Provide an Annual Physical Therapy Visit

Clients benefit: Physical therapists have the education, experience, and expertise necessary to provide a broad health screening to allow tracking the patient's health status over time. It also may lead to a referral for a physical therapist evaluation and treatment plan or to another health care professional for potential problems identified during the visit.

Physical therapists benefit: An annual visit allows clinics to diversify their services, bringing in new clients and retaining current clients as physical therapists create ongoing relationships with their client base. It also diversifies the income string by providing a source not dependent on third-party payers.

Implementing an Annual Visit

Follow these steps:

1. Access the annual visit form.
   Annual Physical Therapy Visit: Pediatric Population
   Annual Physical Therapy Visit: Adult Population
   Annual Physical Therapy Visit: Aging Population*
2. APTA members may download these forms. Other users will need to request permission. Be sure to carefully review the instructions for use. (Note: There are separate templates for adults and children).
3. Determine your referral network. The screening could identify risks or problems beyond your expertise or scope of practice.
4. Determine how you will track results for each annual visit. Whether you add data to the Annual Physical Therapy Visit template or input into an electronic health record system, the value of the annual visit is emphasized by tracking the results over time.
5. Determine payment for services. An annual visit will often be a cash-based service. APTA cannot suggest pricing for the visit.
6. Practice conducting the visit. Before implementing the visit, practice on your colleagues to be sure that you feel prepared to efficiently perform it, including having the necessary equipment and space.
7. Market your annual visit. Develop materials describing your annual visit services. Distribute them to your current patients and leave materials in the waiting room for family members. Encourage them to make a future appointment.
8. Consider best practices. Strive to make the annual visit a robust offering at your clinic and in your community.

For the Aging Population, APTA and APTA Geriatrics offer these additional templates:

• Annual Physical Therapy Visit: Intake Form 
• Annual Physical Therapy Visit: Report Card