Direct Access Physical Therapy
A physical therapist is allowed to treat a patient without a physician referral through direct access.
At HSS, direct access examinations are appropriate for the following orthopedic nonsurgical injuries or concerns:
- Joint pain
- Sprains and strains
- Neck and back pain
- Sports or fitness injuries
During the initial examination, the physical therapist will assess needs and determine the next steps for the patient care plan. The therapist will arrange a referral to a physician if needed.
Make an Appointment
If you qualify for Direct Access, we will do our best to schedule an exam within a timely manner.
Direct Access Physical Therapy Locations
Most of our Rehabilitation and Performance locations provide direct access examinations, with the exception of Pediatric Rehabilitation and the Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy Center. Please call your preferred location directly or call our Direct Access Help Line at 1.800.493.0039 for assistance.
Manhattan
HSS Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center
525 East 71st Street
646.797.8005
HSS Orthopedic Therapy Center
535 East 70th Street, 2nd Floor
212.606.1213
HSS Rehabilitation 75th Street
405 E. 75th Street (between 1st and York Ave)
646.714.6850
HSS Midtown Rehabilitation and Performance
770 Lexington Avenue, 3rd Floor
646.618.7777
HSS Sports Rehab and Performance – West Side
610 West 58th Street
646.495.3333
HSS Hudson Yards Rehabilitation and Performance
31 Hudson Yards, 10th Floor
646.422.5960
Brooklyn
HSS Brooklyn Rehabilitation and Performance
148 39th Street, 7th Floor
646.422.5900
Long Island
HSS Long Island Rehabilitation and Performance
333 Earle Ovington Blvd, Suite 106
516.240.2160
White Plains, NY
HSS Westchester Rehabilitation
1133 Westchester Ave
914.821.9300
Paramus, NJ
HSS Paramus Rehabilitation-Midland Ave
15 E. Midland Ave
201.559.8000
HSS Spine Center Rehabilitation – Paramus
140 East Ridgewood Ave, Suite 175 S
201.599.8000
West Palm Beach, FL
HSS Florida Rehabilitation and Performance
300 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.
561.657.4700
Patient Information
What is direct access?
Direct access is meant to increase accessibility to a qualified physical therapist so that individuals can be evaluated quickly and determine next steps for care.
Every state in the United States, including the US Virgin Islands, currently allows some level of direct access. States do impose varying levels of restriction to direct access. In New York State, a patient is allowed to see a physical therapist via direct access for up to 10 sessions or 30 days (whichever comes first) from the day of the initial examination.
Learn more about direct access from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
When is a physician's referral needed?
At HSS, a prescription for physical therapy is needed if a person:
- Has Worker's Compensation, Medicare, Medicaid, or No-Fault insurance
- Has a hand or wrist injury
- Is under 18 years old