Q: Why should I join PTPN?

A: PPTPN is committed to maximizing the independent therapist’s clinically effective and profitable participation in health care. By joining a prestigious rehabilitation network that contracts with most of the managed care organizations in the country, therapists gain access to more patients than they would on their own while advancing the work done in private practices.

Q: What value do I receive?
 
A: Members report that the greatest value they receive from PTPN is access to more patients and more revenue through PTPN’s contracts with payers. They also receive such valuable services as discounts on supplies and services, information on regulatory compliance, discounts on seminars and materials, assistance in resolving billing problems, and political advocacy in Washington, D.C..

Q: What does it cost to join PTPN?
 
A: PTPN charges its providers a flat annual fee that varies by state. In some states, this fee may be related to business volume.

Q: Does PTPN accept any willing provider?
 
A: No. PTPN has such strict membership standards as independent ownership, continuing education, Medicare certification, ratio of aides and assistants to therapists, and geographic requirements. Only after meeting PTPN’s unique criteria, and passing both an on-site review and primary source verifications, do providers become PTPN members.

Q: Tell me more about PTPN’s geographic requirements.
 
A: PTPN’s geographic requirements are generally based on the population per member office in a given service area. The greater the population, the closer you can be to another member; the smaller the population, the farther away you must be. Distance is calculated “as the crow flies.” We also have targets for offices offering hand, pediatric, speech and occupational therapy.

Q: What are the advantages of the PTPN Outcomes Program?
 
A: In measuring the efficiency of all of our clinics, the PTPN Outcomes Program will help us deliver better services to and improve our relationships with payers while offering payers a better alternative to other medical management systems. The mandatory program will also make your office more competitive by giving you information to improve and market your practice. And, finally, the PTPN Outcomes Program will prepare you for coming developments like Pay-for-Performance (P4P), giving us a voice in what happens — rather than waiting for others to force new and burdensome requirements upon us.

Q: How can PTPN help me expand my practice?
 
A: Through our consumer brand, PTPN members have access to a range of cash-pay programs ready to be integrated into their practices. These programs have features available exclusively to PTPN members, including custom content and better pricing. We also help you market your successes to physicians, payers and clients.

Q: Once I am a member, do I have to accept all of PTPN’s managed care contracts?
 
A: No. PTPN offers its members the option to reject fee-for-service contracts. However, 99 percent of our members do take 99 percent of our contracts.

Q: Does PTPN take a percentage of my reimbursement?
 
A: No.

Q: How do I know who the PTPN patients are and how much I can expect to get paid for the services I’ve rendered them?
 
A: We train your office in how to identify and bill for PTPN patients and then give you a Master Contract Details List, which should have all the information you need. Or you can always call your local PTPN office for assistance.
 
Q: What happens to my claims?
 
A: When you become a member, you agree to participate in PTPN’s Quality Assurance Program. To do this, we must have your claims data. With that data, we can report back to you — and the payers — on the value of PTPN membership. You can send your original paper PTPN claims to us, we will keep them for one day, and then send them to the payer, who pays you directly. The money does not go through PTPN. We also have many options for sending us electronic copies of your claims and sending the originals directly to the payer.
 
Q: Are there any value-added benefits of PTPN membership?
 
A: Yes! PTPN has discount arrangements with vendors of equipment, supplies, software and more, and PTPN provides educational seminars at discounted fees. We also send industry-related updates and information through our print and electronic member newsletters. And our lobbyist is always advocating the needs of rehab therapists in Washington, D.C.