Poster Sessions - 2018 Research Day
The Effect of Co-Payments on the Plan of Care for a Geriatric Patient with Cervical Radiculopathy in an Outpatient Facility: A Case Report
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
Hall of Governors
Start Date
4-6-2018 4:00 PM
End Date
4-6-2018 5:30 PM
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Patients’ access to physical therapy can be limited by out-of-pocket costs, including insurance co-payments. Cost of co-payments has become an issue in the field of physical therapy. Patients often request reduced visits secondary to the cost of the co-payment, which requires the physical therapist to adjust the plan of care to effectively address the patients’ impairments. Cervical radiculopathy is a common condition in the geriatric population and can be effectively addressed with physical therapy.
Case Description: The patient was a 74-year-old female with cervical radiculopathy with complaints of left upper arm pain with numbness/tingling that radiated to her hand. She also had a co-payment of $25.00 due at each visit and requested reduced visits.
Outcomes: The patient completed four outpatient treatment sessions and demonstrated a complete decrease in her pain. She also showed a clinically significant improvement in score on the QuickDASH.
Discussion: This case report provides an example of the effects of co-payments on patient access to physical therapy, as well as how the plan of care is delivered based on reduced number of visits. This issue has been brought up to the forefront and is being addressed by several states across the country. Until further changes can be made to reduce the cost of co-payments, physical therapists must adapt the plan of care to adequately meet all of the patients’ needs while effectively treating the impairments. Creating a cost-effective plan of care is crucial in situations like this and incorporating evidence-based care can help improve the outcomes. Interventions, including therapeutic exercises and manual therapy, have been shown to help improve patients’ symptoms with cervical radiculopathy
Identify Grant
Research was supported by GSU Office of Student Life
The Effect of Co-Payments on the Plan of Care for a Geriatric Patient with Cervical Radiculopathy in an Outpatient Facility: A Case Report
Hall of Governors
Background and Purpose: Patients’ access to physical therapy can be limited by out-of-pocket costs, including insurance co-payments. Cost of co-payments has become an issue in the field of physical therapy. Patients often request reduced visits secondary to the cost of the co-payment, which requires the physical therapist to adjust the plan of care to effectively address the patients’ impairments. Cervical radiculopathy is a common condition in the geriatric population and can be effectively addressed with physical therapy.
Case Description: The patient was a 74-year-old female with cervical radiculopathy with complaints of left upper arm pain with numbness/tingling that radiated to her hand. She also had a co-payment of $25.00 due at each visit and requested reduced visits.
Outcomes: The patient completed four outpatient treatment sessions and demonstrated a complete decrease in her pain. She also showed a clinically significant improvement in score on the QuickDASH.
Discussion: This case report provides an example of the effects of co-payments on patient access to physical therapy, as well as how the plan of care is delivered based on reduced number of visits. This issue has been brought up to the forefront and is being addressed by several states across the country. Until further changes can be made to reduce the cost of co-payments, physical therapists must adapt the plan of care to adequately meet all of the patients’ needs while effectively treating the impairments. Creating a cost-effective plan of care is crucial in situations like this and incorporating evidence-based care can help improve the outcomes. Interventions, including therapeutic exercises and manual therapy, have been shown to help improve patients’ symptoms with cervical radiculopathy