Rehabilitation Services
WCHNH's Rehabilitation services are among the most comprehensive in rural southwest Alabama! We are located inside the hospital and in our off site Rehabilitation Clinic. These two locations enable us to meet your individual needs, whether as an in-patient for short or long term care or as an out patient. Our licensed Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologist's are all committed to developing and implementing your individualized plan of treatment to achieve maximum outcome. They work closely with referring physicians, nursing staff and other professionals as a Interdisciplinary Team to provide appropriate care. We also provide education to our patients and their families/caregivers to enable the patient to reach their safest and maximum level of independence.
WCHNH's therapy services include:
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Speech Therapy
We offer the following therapy programs:
Contractures Management Program
Edema Management Program
Hydration Program
IADLs Return to Self Program
Low Vision Program
Oral Hygiene Program
Pain Management Program
Pathways Dementia Management Program
Positioning Program
Rehab Dining Program
Watch Your Step Falls & Balance
Frequently Asked Questions
What training does my therapist have?
All therapists must graduate from an accredited progam, must pass a National State Board Licensure Examination and possess an active state license from the State of Alabama. Therapists are also required by the State licensure boards to maintain and increase their level of education through continuing education courses each year.
Do I need to see my doctor first?
Most people come to therapy with a referral from a physician. Medicare/Medicaid and some private insurance plans do require a physicians referral for physical, occupational and speech therapy. It is best to contact your insurance carrier if you are unsure.
Will my insurance pay for therapy?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, workers' compensation, and private insurers, pay for physical,
occupational and speech therapy services that are medically necessary provided by or under the direction and supervision of therapist. Your insurance carrier will be able to let you know how much, if any, your out-of-pocket cost should be.
How many visits does my insurance allow per year?
Therapy services are covered, in part or in full, by most health insurance plans. Some plans specify a limit on the number of therapy visits allowed per plan year. Other plans limit visits based on dollar amounts. Since the coverage varies greatly, it is recommended that you call your insurance provider to check on your coverage by asking the following questions:
1. Do I have physical, occupational and/or speech therapy benefits?
2. What is my deductible and has it been met?
3. How many sessions of therapy per year does my plan cover?
4. Do I need a physician referral for therapy services?
What should I wear?
You should dress comfortably for your therapy appointment. We have private areas for treatment in needed.
What should I expect on my first day?
Your therapist will perform an evaluation that typically consists of obtaining a past medical history and assessing the area of concern. They will provide education, discuss goals and formulate a plan of care to address your needs or impairments.
How long are the sessions?
Each session lasts approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on your specific needs.
How long will I need to come? What will I do after my therapy is over?
The length of therapy varies from person to person. The process also depends on the progress made towards your personal and therapy goals. At discharge you may be provided with home exercise program and a home assessment may be indicated to determine any safety or equipment needs.
What kind of treatments will I receive?
All treatments will be tailored to each person's needs and respectful of any existing medical conditions. Treatments may include instruction in exercise and/or manual therapy with specialized soft tissue and joint mobilization techniques.
Modalities that may be used to relieve pain and inflammation, and to re-educate muscles may include:
Ultrasound, Electrical Stimulation, TENS, lontophoresis, Traction, Biofeedback, or taping.
Will therapy be painful?
Everyone deals with and experiences pain differently. A common goal of physical and occuplational therapy is to return individuals to their prior level of function. As the physical and occuplational therapist and patient work together to achieve goals, pain levels often fluctuate.
COMMUNICATION with your therapist is important to minimize any discomfort that might occur along the way.
What about Work-Related Injury Rehabilitation
Our therapists are aware of your possible need to return to work as quickly as possible. We will design a treatment program to enable you to return to your work in the fastest way possible. Our therapists can complete ergonomic/work-site evaluations as well as work with your employer to analyze the worker and work environment in order to identify and reduce risks. We can work with employers to provide post offer, pre-employment test to identify a job applicant's ability to perform the physical demands of a specific job. We can also work with employers to design measures to determine if an individual is ready to return to a specific job.
Rehabilitation Services Contact Information
Location: Washington County Hospital and WCHNH Out Patient Clinic
Open Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5 PM
Phone: 251-847-4294 and 251-847-3955