Question 1

How do I make an appointment to work with you?

Accepted Answer

Please use the Appointments Page.(ponderarehab.com/appointments) This is where you are able to register, communicate with us, receive & fill out electronic intake forms, and to request scheduling. We have all clients fill out our registration & intake packet before scheduling so that we are able to get more done during the initial session with less time spent on 'office forms'. We also have a clearer picture of what is going on with each person since we have had a chance to review your information. You'll get more out of your initial appointment and have more direct contact time with us!

Due to the varied needs of our clients we will work with you to make a tailored treatment plan. We do not do 'cattle farm' rehabilitation and aim to really work on what each individual needs within their abilities.

It is advised that 3-4 follow ups are booked after the initial appointment, because it can sometimes be challenging to find available appointments if we wait until the week ahead. Follow-up packages with discounts are available (please see this page's FAQ for that information). Evaluation type appointments are not discounted due to the time we spend formulating a treatment or training plan as well as report writing.

Question 2

How long are your sessions?

Accepted Answer

Evaluations range from 60 minutes to 120 minutes depending on the clinician and the issue; follow-ups are usually 60 minutes, though we can arrange for longer if it makes sense for your needs. Sometimes this is because it is easier to be seen for longer sessions less often due to childcare, driving time, or your time off from work. We do try to follow what is called a 'therapy hour' where the last 5-10 minutes of most sessions are not direct contact with the client which leaves the practitioner with a few minutes to clean-up equipment & manage documentation or exercise plans related to your session. The practicioner will make every effort reasonable possible to stay on time. If you are running late to your appointment, please let us know in the portal (for us this is easier for someone to see than the phone) but you can also call & leave a message if that's better in an urgent situation. We never double or triple book you with other clients in the same session.

Question 3

Do I need a referral from my health care provider to see you?

Accepted Answer

FOR FITNESS PERFORMANCE: You do not need a referral if we are not treating a specific diagnosis or condition. For example, if you are being seen with a focus on staying healthy, improving your physical fitness, movement assessment &/or injury prevention (cross-training, running, cycling, overall health & wellness goals).

FOR REHABILITATION: In the state of California, occupational therapists (OTs) do not need a referral to treat patients. 
Physical therapists (PTs) are able to see patients without a referral for 45 days or up to 10 visits with no referral under ‘Direct Access’ laws. We will send your initial evaluation to your provider for signature hence why we ask for their contact information on your registration forms.
To find out about your own insurance’s plan-specific financial coverage for out of network reimbursement, you may use following insurance worksheet and see related questions on this page about reimbursement via Reimbursify:
 
Insurance Reimbursement Worksheet (http://8363df65-dd8d-4579-a442-74221dcfa1c3.usrfiles.com/ugd/48669c_704546da099d4460acd69eecd8c7dcc1.pdf)

Question 4

Why do I need to set up two different accounts (guardian and minor child) for having my son work with you? Can I just use my own name and we share a login?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we need separated accounts for the adult guardian & their minor at all ages but access for the minor is varied in what is needed depending on age. There are differences in how we schedule for both fitness and rehabilitation on the calendar, and in the case of rehabilitation, we legally need it separated for each individual for reimbursement purposes as well as in the event that we see both the adult and the minor at different times as clients for fitness or rehabilitation.  
 • For a 12-18 year old adolescent minor, we are legally required to create separate account access/logins for the adolescent minor to access their health information. Hence, please create your own personal guardian account at the link below. Then, have your adolescent minor do the same process to create an additional account for themselves. This means that for adolescents an account with their own name, date of birth, email address and phone number & login is submitted. Once you let us know in a message in the portal that you are the guardian, we will then manually link you as the guardian to the adolescent account. It legally required for the adolescent minor to have their own access. Once this is completed, the guardian will be able to login, click on your own name in the menu, and then toggle to your adolescent’s name to help with forms, messaging, scheduling and payments. The adolescent minor will have their own login and messaging thread with the providers. Both the adult guardian and the adolescent minor will receive appointment reminders. The messaging thread of each person is not visible to the other and we generally will post important information from sessions if needed in both threads to help keep everyone communicating fluidly.
 • For an 11 & Under minor child, we will link you to their chart and they will not have their own login unless you unless you specifically request for us to do so. Please first  create your own login/account. Then, do the same process to create an additional account for your 11 & Under minor child. Once you let us know, we will then manually link you to the 11 & Under minor account. 
 • If you have any questions about this, please feel free to set-up your own adult/guardian account and send us a message in the portal messaging thread so that we can help further.

Question 5

If I'm seeing you in my home or at the clinic, can my children be present?

Accepted Answer

In general, yes. Obviously the ability to attend to your own session might be impacted but it is better to have some time to address your needs than to not have any time at all! We love to get kids moving with us when the space, safety and attention allows! In the clinic, younger children can sometimes be incorporated into our session and we can pause as needed for nursing etc. However, they cannot be using any gym or other equipment or moving around interrupting other's sessions while present. Children who are able to be secured in a carseat or can sit on a bench in the gym are welcome to be in there as long as they are safely staying there, and not disturbing others in sessions. We do have a front waiting area with a sofa but it is not visible from the gym, hence we cannot allow children under 8 years of age to be alone while you are in your session as per our own general insurance regulations. Additionally, there is a front entrance door in that waiting area, so know that your child would be potentially able to leave on their own accord. If possible, one suggestion would be to try to have childcare help set up for at least your initial evaluation. Additionally, in some cases we are able to do follow-ups via telehealth or mobile visits if that is preferred & helpful for you. Please reach out if you have questions about this. We really want to help you get what you need but will also be mindful of what is safe, and balanced for other clients and your time.