Anonymous
Post 10/29/2025 07:58     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
In most cases you can get an MRI if you have specific red flags. Absence of those red flags, physical therapy is the best first step for managing musculoskeletal pain.
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2025 07:06     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
Op here. Went finally to PT first appointment and it was a flop. I waited for a month and turned out I was referred to the wrong PT department. They did not even perform the assessment and referred me to an other department. Of course, this after I already paid so now getting the money back is a pita and still need to get an other appointment
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2025 07:42     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
I was skeptical of PT but have become completely sold. I kept re-upping my allocated # of appointments because it helped so much.

I’m now convinced we all need more PT and if we got it done as a matter of routine — an optional annual evaluation of mobility, balance, strength etc, say, with follow-up appointments as needed, we’d need far fewer MRIs.
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 23:10     Subject: Re:PT in order to get mri?
MRI out of pocket as a cash patient can be had for around 500. PT sessions with my PPO high deductible plans would cost north of 100 for each session out of pocket towards the deductible. It's more expensive to do a bunch of PT vs. an MRI even if MRI is not covered. Why would anyone in this situation want to do PT and not MRI?
PT is also more expensive WITH insurance and deductible than getting beginner yoga/pilates classes in premium studios (which are often more effective than PT long term unless you have any severe issues).

The only time PT is worth it is if it is AFTER the surgery when it's prescribed for recovery and regular exercise, stretching, conditioning may be dangerous. Plus, in that case you would have already maxed your entire out of pocket and it would be finally fully covered by the insurance.

Our healthcare system is a joke. And being required to do a bunch of PT before getting an MRI or other diagnostic is a scam IMHO.
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 12:12     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
I had this with some orthopedic issues that were creating neuro symptoms (shoulder issues that caused numbness and tingling), as well as some that didn't cause neuro issues -- arthritis in knee.

TBH I was genuinely surprised by how much PT helped.
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 11:11     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
Anonymous wrote:PPO with Aetna no approval needed for MRI
Have done 7 this month (different issue), no question asked


I don’t think any insurance company requires PT before any MRI. They require it before MRI’s for specific conditions.

I am not saying they should, but the fact that someone got an MRI without PT doesn’t mean the same insurance doesn’t require it for some conditions.
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 11:00     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
BCBS FEP - had MRI done before PT. No issues with it getting covered. Sometimes you need other know what's wrong before you can treat it.
Anonymous
Post 10/24/2025 18:46     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
PPO with Aetna no approval needed for MRI
Have done 7 this month (different issue), no question asked
Anonymous
Post 10/24/2025 18:30     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm a PT and yes this is a requirement for many insurances. Usually it is 6-8 visits (I've never seen 6 weeks). On rare occasion it is clear the patient needs an MRI and our PT sessions are largely performative, but honestly many people are able to avoid the MRI due to feeling better. For the post above who says this is a liability, you have to trust that your PT would contact the MD if there really is a medical emergency that would contraindicate PT. The vast majority of issues are not and we are trained, licensed professionals.


The vast majority of you perform an intake and then farm out responsibility for subsequent visits to people with far less training.

I stand by my previous statement, and you might want to consider your own liability here. That whole "do no harm" thing and all.


I was in PT recently and after one visit, some assistant took over. The therapist was not very involved. Such a waste.


You know, if you request to stay with the same therapist and are willing to wait a month to schedule your appointments, that can usually be accommodated, at least at our office. It's the patients who "have to get in right now" that jump around therapists because the schedule only has a few openings. My first opening right now is in the first week of December. But if you call on Monday and want in, I may have a last minute cancellation that the office will give you, with no followups for a month. That's is the reality right now.


The phenomenon isn't a "right now" thing. It may be worse right now, due to the enshittification of all the things, but this is a longstanding issue at many, I'm even comfortable saying most (having been to a LOT of them), physical therapy practices. Intakes are done by the people with the most training, plans are designed by same, and then subsequent appointments are often managed by assistants and other less-qualified people. It's not at all new; it's been this way for decades, on both coasts.

The system kinda works if you're properly diagnosed beforehand, understand your treatment plan, and don't have any trouble with whatever exercise modalities have been prescribed. But if you're new to those forms of exercise, weren't given a clear picture of your treatment plan (or didn't fully understand the one you were given), or don't even know what the actual problem you're trying to treat is, this is a disaster waiting to happen.

Your profession knows, but it's not profitable to fix it. So there's that.


TL;DR: PT is a great way to waste time and pad bills, and you're lucky to get anything from it. You may exacerbate your injuries, if not careful.
Anonymous
Post 10/24/2025 18:28     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm a PT and yes this is a requirement for many insurances. Usually it is 6-8 visits (I've never seen 6 weeks). On rare occasion it is clear the patient needs an MRI and our PT sessions are largely performative, but honestly many people are able to avoid the MRI due to feeling better. For the post above who says this is a liability, you have to trust that your PT would contact the MD if there really is a medical emergency that would contraindicate PT. The vast majority of issues are not and we are trained, licensed professionals.


The vast majority of you perform an intake and then farm out responsibility for subsequent visits to people with far less training.

I stand by my previous statement, and you might want to consider your own liability here. That whole "do no harm" thing and all.


I was in PT recently and after one visit, some assistant took over. The therapist was not very involved. Such a waste.


You know, if you request to stay with the same therapist and are willing to wait a month to schedule your appointments, that can usually be accommodated, at least at our office. It's the patients who "have to get in right now" that jump around therapists because the schedule only has a few openings. My first opening right now is in the first week of December. But if you call on Monday and want in, I may have a last minute cancellation that the office will give you, with no followups for a month. That's is the reality right now.


The phenomenon isn't a "right now" thing. It may be worse right now, due to the enshittification of all the things, but this is a longstanding issue at many, I'm even comfortable saying most (having been to a LOT of them), physical therapy practices. Intakes are done by the people with the most training, plans are designed by same, and then subsequent appointments are often managed by assistants and other less-qualified people. It's not at all new; it's been this way for decades, on both coasts.

The system kinda works if you're properly diagnosed beforehand, understand your treatment plan, and don't have any trouble with whatever exercise modalities have been prescribed. But if you're new to those forms of exercise, weren't given a clear picture of your treatment plan (or didn't fully understand the one you were given), or don't even know what the actual problem you're trying to treat is, this is a disaster waiting to happen.

Your profession knows, but it's not profitable to fix it. So there's that.
Anonymous
Post 10/24/2025 18:23     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm a PT and yes this is a requirement for many insurances. Usually it is 6-8 visits (I've never seen 6 weeks). On rare occasion it is clear the patient needs an MRI and our PT sessions are largely performative, but honestly many people are able to avoid the MRI due to feeling better. For the post above who says this is a liability, you have to trust that your PT would contact the MD if there really is a medical emergency that would contraindicate PT. The vast majority of issues are not and we are trained, licensed professionals.


The vast majority of you perform an intake and then farm out responsibility for subsequent visits to people with far less training.

I stand by my previous statement, and you might want to consider your own liability here. That whole "do no harm" thing and all.


I was in PT recently and after one visit, some assistant took over. The therapist was not very involved. Such a waste.


You know, if you request to stay with the same therapist and are willing to wait a month to schedule your appointments, that can usually be accommodated, at least at our office. It's the patients who "have to get in right now" that jump around therapists because the schedule only has a few openings. My first opening right now is in the first week of December. But if you call on Monday and want in, I may have a last minute cancellation that the office will give you, with no followups for a month. That's is the reality right now.
Anonymous
Post 10/24/2025 08:35     Subject: PT in order to get mri?
Anonymous wrote:If you have UHC, yes.


Or Aetna.