With more than a decade in the industry, our team at Direct PT/DX has learned how to vet qualified providers for our network. When assessing if a provider is a good fit, we review their approach to communication, compliance, and treatment philosophy, all of which play a huge role in determining if we want to move forward with the partnership.
Communication
One of the most challenging aspects to vet is a provider’s communication style. Everyone in our industry is busy, meaning we don’t want anyone’s time wasted, including our own. We look for providers who communicate clearly, directly, and respectfully. Most issues begin with bad communication, and we strive to establish the correct contacts from the beginning. And when challenges arise, whether on a provider’s side or ours, we aim to approach them with professionalism and a focus on finding the best path forward together.
Compliance
The second most complicated aspect is reviewing a provider’s compliance strategy. Following up on therapy notes is the responsibility of the provider’s PT department, while diagnostic follow-ups fall to the scheduling team. When we begin to see consistent issues, such as delays in receiving notes or reports, that’s when problems arise. We prioritize working with providers who value compliance and complete their documentation in a timely manner.
Treatment Philosophy
Surprisingly, it’s also difficult to evaluate a provider’s philosophy if you have never worked with them. But we often get recommendations from our clients which are very helpful. If we are working with a new provider, we monitor those first cases very closely. It doesn’t take long to find out if they are doing their best to return the injured worker to health.
