Therapy planning situation After a fall or near fall After ER, urgent care, hospital, or rehab Walking, transfers, balance, or confidence declined Caregiver is worried about safety at home
Coverage path today Original Medicare Medicare Advantage plan Not sure Other coverage also involved
Therapy type to discuss Physical therapy for balance, walking, strength, or pain Occupational therapy for daily activities and home safety Speech-language therapy for swallowing, communication, or cognition More than one therapy type may be needed Not sure which therapy type fits
Referral or order status Not asked yet Requested but not scheduled Therapy evaluation is scheduled Therapy has already started
Main recovery goal Walking, balance, stairs, or transfers Bathing, dressing, toileting, or kitchen tasks Swallowing, speech, memory, or communication Home setup, equipment fit, or caregiver training Returning to errands, appointments, or daily routine
Plan-of-care clarity No clear therapy plan yet Some instructions but details are scattered Written plan, goals, and schedule are clear Not sure what to ask for
Cost or authorization concern No known concern Deductible, coinsurance, or copay question Prior authorization or network question ABN, denial, or noncovered-service notice question Not sure what may be owed
Provider or location status Need to find a therapy provider Provider found but first visit not complete Transportation, stairs, or home access may be hard Already working with a therapy provider
Home exercise and caregiver support No home exercise or helper plan yet Caregiver needs safe-help instructions Doing some exercises or safety changes May be unsafe to do exercises alone
Follow-up tracking Not tracking visits, goals, or questions yet Started notes but need structure Tracking visits, goals, progress, and concerns
Use this to prepare for coverage and therapy conversations.
Do not enter names, Medicare numbers, diagnoses, claim numbers, addresses, medication details, or private medical records. Keep real therapy orders, visit notes, and bills in a secure folder.
This planner is educational and organizational only. It is not medical, insurance, benefits, legal, financial, therapy, or emergency advice. For urgent symptoms, new injury concerns, severe pain, trouble walking, confusion, or immediate danger, contact qualified medical care or emergency services.
Official references:
Medicare physical therapy coverage ,
Medicare therapy services fact sheet ,
CDC STEADI patient and caregiver resources ,
AHRQ questions to ask .
