These chiropractic and physical therapy FAQs answer the questions patients ask Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT (PMR) most often. They cover appointments, insurance, referrals, car accidents, workers’ comp and common treatments at our offices in Danbury, CT and Brewster, NY. If you don’t see your question here, call the office you plan to visit.
Appointments and your first visit
How do I make an appointment?
Call the office you’d like to visit, or use the online appointment request linked from our scheduling page and our team will contact you to confirm a time. If you need to cancel or change a visit, please give at least 24 hours’ notice. Missed appointments may be charged a no-show fee.
What happens at my first visit?
Your clinician starts with your health history and goals, then examines how you move, including posture, range of motion, strength and nerve function as needed. Next, they explain what they found and suggest a care plan, which may combine services such as chiropractic care and physical therapy. Our new patient information page explains how to prepare.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring a photo ID, your insurance card and a list of your medications. If you have them, also bring imaging reports, a referral or prescription, and your surgeon’s rehab protocol if you’ve had surgery. After a car accident or work injury, bring your claim number and the insurer’s or comp carrier’s contact details.
Insurance and billing
Do you accept my insurance?
PMR accepts many major plans, including Aetna, Anthem / Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, ConnectiCare, Harvard Pilgrim, Oxford, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, NYSHIP Empire Plan, CDPHP and Crystal Run. We also accept car accident, workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, and we submit claims to most insurers for you. Coverage depends on your plan, so check the full list by state on our insurance and billing page.
Do you accept Medicare or Medicaid?
No. We also don’t accept HUSKY Health in Connecticut, Fidelis in New York, or Affinity. If you have one of these plans or no insurance, call our billing office at (203) 744-8014 before you book.
Referrals and direct access
Do I need a referral for physical therapy?
Not always. In New York, a licensed physical therapist with at least 3 years of full-time practice may treat you without a referral for 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first (NY Education Law 6731). New York no-fault and workers’ comp claims still require a referral. In Connecticut, a qualifying physical therapist may treat you without a referral but must confirm your primary care provider and refer you out if there’s no measurable improvement within 30 days or 6 visits, whichever comes first (CGS 20-73).
Will my insurance plan require a referral?
It might. Check with your plan, or ask our billing office at (203) 744-8014. If you already have a referral or prescription, bring it to your first visit.
Car accident questions
Rules differ between New York and Connecticut. These answers are general information, not legal advice.
Who pays for my care after a car accident in New York?
New York is a no-fault state, so no-fault (PIP) benefits cover necessary care and lost earnings up to $50,000 per person, no matter who caused the crash (11 NYCRR 65-1.1). You must file the NF-2 with the insurer within 30 days of the accident (DFS no-fault forms). Once you assign your benefits, PMR bills the insurer directly (11 NYCRR 65-3.11). Learn more about New York no-fault car accident care.
Who pays for my care after a car accident in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, an at-fault state, you make your injury claim against the driver who caused the crash (Connecticut OLR report). Your care is usually paid through MedPay if you carry this optional coverage, your health insurance, that claim against the at-fault driver, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or an attorney’s letter of protection. Our Connecticut car accident care page explains each option.
Workers’ comp questions
How does workers’ comp work in New York?
PMR accepts workers’ compensation. New York requires treatment from a Board-authorized provider, and injured workers pay no copays (WCB health care). You need to notify your employer in writing within 30 days and file Form C-3 within 2 years (injured workers toolkit). Our New York workers’ compensation page has the details.
How does workers’ comp work in Connecticut?
Tell your employer about the injury right away, and file Form 30C within 1 year (3 years for an occupational disease) (CGS chapter 568). When an employer has an approved medical care plan, workers must use its providers, so ask us whether PMR participates. Chiropractors count as physicians under Connecticut’s comp statute. Read more on our Connecticut workers’ compensation page.
Chiropractic and physical therapy FAQs about treatment
Is chiropractic care safe?
For most people, chiropractic care is considered safe when a licensed chiropractor provides it. Mild soreness or stiffness for a day or two after treatment is common, and serious complications are rare. Your chiropractor reviews your history and exam for warning signs first, chooses techniques that suit you, and refers you to a physician if you need medical care. Learn more about chiropractic care.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on your condition, how long you’ve had it, your goals and how your body responds. After your evaluation, your clinician outlines a plan, rechecks your progress along the way and adjusts the plan, or refers you elsewhere, if you aren’t improving as expected. Many people with recent low back pain improve within a few weeks, while long-standing problems often take longer.
What’s the difference between a chiropractor and a physical therapist?
Chiropractors focus on the spine and joints, often using hands-on adjustments and soft-tissue techniques to improve motion and ease pain. Physical therapists focus on restoring strength, movement and function through guided exercise, manual therapy and education, including rehab after surgery. At PMR, both work under one roof, so your plan can combine them when that fits your needs.
Can acupuncture help with pain?
It may. Acupuncture uses very thin, sterile needles placed at specific points on the body. For many people, it can help ease some types of long-lasting pain, such as back, neck or knee pain, and it’s often combined with chiropractic care or physical therapy. PMR offers acupuncture, and your provider reviews your health history before treatment. Results vary.
What is spinal decompression, and who is it for?
Spinal decompression at PMR uses a DTS table, a motorized table that applies gentle, controlled traction to the lower back (lumbar) or neck (cervical). It may be an option for some people with disc-related pain, such as a bulging or herniated disc, or pinched nerve symptoms. It isn’t right for everyone, so your clinician checks your history and exam first and may combine it with exercise and other care.
Still have questions? Book a visit
If these chiropractic and physical therapy FAQs didn’t answer your question, call the office you’d like to visit:
- PMR of Danbury, CT: (203) 744-8013
- PMR of Brewster, NY: (845) 279-1135
For billing questions, call (203) 744-8014. When you’re ready, schedule an appointment online.
If these chiropractic and physical therapy FAQs didn’t answer your question, call the office you’d like to visit:
- PMR of Danbury, CT: (203) 744-8013
- PMR of Brewster, NY: (845) 279-1135
For billing questions, call (203) 744-8014. When you’re ready, schedule an appointment online.