We help people of all ages in the Lake Norman area quickly recover from their pain and injuries so they can get back to doing the things they love.
Without relying on Pain Medications, Injections or Unnecessary Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take insurance?
Sterner Physical Therapy is considered an ‘out-of-network’ provider with all private insurance companies (Medicare please call for information about your coverage). Therefore, although payment is required at the time of service, a percentage of your out-of-pocket expenses will most likely be reimbursed to you directly by your insurance carrier. We will help facilitate this reimbursement process by providing you with a claim form or a ‘super-bill’ that you can then submit to your insurance company.
We recommend that you contact your insurance company in advance to find out what your out-of-network benefits are and if you're required to obtain prior authorization for Physical Therapy. Click the link below for detailed instructions on how to find out what your coverage is.
If you have access to HRA/FSA/HAS funds, we accept those funds as forms of payment.
Why are you out-of-network?
Sterner Physical Therapy chose very specifically to be an out-of -network provider keeping your best interest in mind. This model allows us to provide care in the way we know is best, not by what the insurance company dictates. We want to provide the treatment you need without asking permission from your insurance company.
We will guarantee to you that you will receive one-on-one care from a licensed Physical Therapist only. We will be able to give you 100% of our attention for one hour sessions without sharing you with PT assistants or techs.
This will allow us to spend our time educating and coaching you instead of filling out paperwork and hoping to get reimbursed for your time. We’ve always believed in preventative holistic care and are excited to be able to offer this without question!
What should I do prior to my first visit?
Please download and fill out the New Patient Paperwork and bring to your first appointment. If you need to complete in clinic, please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
Contact your insurance company to inquire about your out-of-network benefits.
What should I bring to my 1st visit?
Please bring your MD order (only if you have one as it is not necessary), a pair of shorts, tank top and/or sports bra (if you are female) and the footwear you wear for your activity (if applicable).
What is the initial evaluation like?
Your initial evaluation will include a listening session to capture your story and symptoms, a physical examination to determine your physical therapy diagnosis, a discussion of your personal goals and development of a treatment plan. The remainder of the hour will be spent on treatment.
Do I need an order from my doctor?
Javin has his degree in physical therapy which enables him to evaluate and treat you without an order from another qualified medical provider. He is trained to recognize “red flag” symptoms which would be out of her realm of care. If any of these arise, he would be able to make a referral to the most appropriate provider. Many insurance companies require an MD order for PT services, therefore, if you intend to submit your PT bill for reimbursement, please verify that they cover “direct access” PT services.
*Medicare Patients*: You are required by Medicare guidelines to provide a Physician Prescription before attending Physical Therapy. The referral can be from a primary care physician, orthopedic specialist, neurologist, physiatrist or any other MD specialty.
How many visits of physical therapy will I need?
We recommend coming either once or twice a week for the first 5 visits. That allows us to see how your body responds to physical therapy and come up with an ongoing plan for your treatment.
We tell our patients that you should see a change in the first 3-5 visits or less. After those initial visits, we reassess your treatment plan to focus on what is helping you the most to expedite your recovery. Once we begin to see improvements in your symptoms, Javin will work with you to develop a plan for appropriately tapering down the frequency of your sessions.
Can I do anything on my own to get better faster?
Yes! We encourage that! It is our mission at Sterner Physical Therapy to educate you on how to best care for your body. We will provide instructions for self care and a prescriptive home program for you. We will encourage you to “treat yourself” between sessions. Our ultimate goal is to empower you to recognize how you can prevent injury and take care of yourself independently. We LOVE taking care of you but feel real satisfaction when we know we have taught YOU how to be your healthiest self!