“Why Don’t You Take Insurance?”

This is a common question that prospective clients often ask us. I used to work in insurance-based clinics and know firsthand what it’s like. These are some of the numerous reasons why we chose not to work with insurance companies.

We want to provide you with a better service. Working with insurance companies doesn’t allow us to treat you the way we believe you should be treated.

1. One-on-One 60+ minute sessions
   1. Your Doctor of Physical Therapy will be with you every step of the way. No more being passed off to a student or another provider.
   2. Your time is valuable and you have our undivided attention. We prioritize spending time getting to know you as a whole-person.
2. Complete cost transparency
   1. Taking out the middle man means you know exactly how much you pay. Your visits never run out.
   2. No more co-pays 2-3x/week with a bill in the mail months later.
3. Based on your goals. Not insurance’s.
   1. We see people who want to be pain-free walking. We also see people who want to smash their next marathon or decrease their shoulder pain in their group fitness class.
   2. These are valuable goals and we don’t have to make up weird arbitrary goals just so insurance pays for your treatment.
4. Decisions based on our expertise
   1. We get to make personalized treatment decisions based on what will help you meet your goals, whatever they may be.
   2. We aren’t limited by insurance companies telling us what we can vs. can’t do (they also didn’t go to school for this for 7+ years).
   3. We get to use all our knowledge, tools, and experience to get you the best result.
5. Long term health and wellness
   1. We know how important it is to get you back to your active lifestyle. Your mental and physical well-being is our priority.
   2. Insurance companies often view these services as “unnecessary.” Instead, we want to help you get BEYOND the minimum baseline.

Why Cash Based?

We want to show you how choosing Invoke will not only help you get out of pain and reach your goals but also save you money compared to an insurance clinic.

In this example, we will look at 2 different patients (Kim and Shawn). Kim chose Invoke and Shawn chose a local insurance-based practice. Kim and Shawn are dealing with the same injury and have the same insurance coverage/deductible of $4000 (national average).

Invoke (Kim):

Initial Evaluation: $160 for a comprehensive 60-90 minute evaluation.

Kim received a full 60-90 minutes with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Insurance (Shawn):

$35 co-pay (national average) for 60 min eval.

Shawn paid $152: The average cost for each PT session if you haven’t met your deductible. You will receive a bill in the mail.

Kim

The Invoke doctor listened to Kim’s entire story and together they created a holistic plan based on her goals and limitations. All her questions got answered.

This plan included exercises and treatments that prepared her for her goals!

Shawn

After a brief conversation with his PT, Shawn was given a handout of exercises that is clearly given to all patients with similar injuries.

Shawn felt confused and less prepared since this plan isn’t individualized for his specific goals.

Kim

Just a few sessions in, Kim is already seeing noticeable improvement. She’s out of pain and looking to keep it from happening again!

Kim and her PT have also addressed new ways to recover and manage her stress.

Shawn

Each treatment visit, Shawn’s PT is treating 2 other patients simultaneously. Lack of attention means his progress is slower.

He typically did the exercises with a student and thinks to himself…Can’t I do this at home on my own?

Kim

Kim’s initial evaluation + first handful of follow up sessions successfully met her original goal of getting out of pain and getting back to doing the things she loves to do!

Shawn

Shawn came to PT 2x/week for 6 weeks because that’s what his insurance would cover.

He is not seeing the results he wants but he eventually met his deductible.

Kim

Kim is feeling stronger day-by-day and her individualized plan has allowed her to return to her normal life quicker than expected.

Kim and her PT continue to check off goals. They create new goals to progress with this new baseline.

Shawn

Despite regular visits 2-3x/week, Shawn is still doing the original exercises he was given on Day 1.

He is starting to get anxious with the slow, up-and-down progress. He wonders if he might have to deal with this forever…

Why Cash Based? By The Numbers

Before we dive into the breakdown, we will assume that Kim and Shawn have $1500 remaining on their $4000 annual deductible.

It’s clear that an individualized plan/care allowed Kim to reach her goals with less time commitment than Shawn…but what about the financial investment?

Invoke (Kim)

Initial Evaluation: $160

9 Follow Up Sessions $990

(Clear and Transparent)

Total: $1150

Insurance (Shawn)

Initial Evaluation: $152

18 Follow Up Sessions: $1800

(deductible met after 10th sessions)

10 sessions @ $152

8 sessions w/$35 co-pay

Total: $1952

At the end of the plan of care, Kim visited Invoke and has spent $800 less out of pocket than Shawn.

Furthermore, had Shawn NOT met his deductible, this care path through insurance PT would have cost him $2,888 ($152/session x 1 initial evaluation and 18 follow up sessions) out of pocket, which would have him spending another $898 MORE for a less-effective care than if he had gone through Invoke.

Although both patients were recovering from similar injuries, Kim’s symptoms resolved quickly and got results in almost half the time. Invoke’s individualized care allowed for a fuller recovery that got Kim back to the lifestyle she loved sooner.

Which path will you choose to get back to your best self?