Plan for Your Visit

Preparing for your visit

  • Call the nearest ReVital location directly for an appointment, and our staff will collect all the necessary information needed to assist you.

    If you don’t see a location close to you, please contact us directly here. 

  • The law varies by state regarding direct access. Direct access means that you may be able to go to therapy without a doctor’s prescription. This applies to some states, but not all. Please call your nearest ReVital center to learn the options available in your state. The ReVital team can help you to schedule an appointment and will contact your provider as needed to collect any necessary documentation.
  • To help your first visit go smoothly:

    • Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed as accurately as possible.
    • Bring your therapy referral (if provided to you by your doctor), your payment information and a form of identification such as your driver’s license. If your insurance covers the cost of therapy, bring your insurance card as well.

    During evaluation, your therapist will discuss the following:

    • Your complete medical and oncologic history.
    • Concerns and complaints you may have.
    • Your functional limitations.
    • Issues impacting your daily activities.
    • Medications, tests and procedures related to your health.
    • Your therapy goals.

    Your therapist will perform a comprehensive and objective evaluation which may include one or more of the following:

    • Palpation – the therapist will assess any areas of pain, checking for tenderness, swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, inflammation and other issues.
    • Range of motion (ROM) - the therapist will move or have you move your joint(s) to assess the quality of movement and any restrictions.
    • Muscle testing - the therapist will check muscle strength and evaluate the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness will be noted if present.
    • Neurological screening - the therapist will check nerve function by evaluating your strength and ability to feel sensations such as touch, pain, vibration or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well.
    • Special tests - the therapist may perform special tests when needed to confirm or exclude the presence of additional concerns.
    • Posture assessment - the positions of joints relative to what is considered ideal may be assessed.
    • Functional assessment - the therapist may observe how you perform normal activities such as how you walk and may measure how much time it takes you to perform certain movements.

    These assessments allow the therapist to determine your current strengths and limitations. Based on your functional assessment, the therapist may prescribe activities specifically designed to maximize your benefits from therapy. He or she will also look for any assistive device needs you may have to make sure you are able to complete your daily activities safely.

    Personalized treatment plan

    Your therapist will develop a tailored treatment plan with input from you and your doctor. This includes how frequently you should visit your therapist per week, the duration of your therapy, home programs, education, short-term/long-term goals and what to expect after discharge from therapy.

     
  • You should wear comfortable, nonrestrictive clothing and appropriate footwear, like sneakers. 
  • Treatment sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes per visit.
  • The number of visits and how frequently they occur varies greatly from patient to patient. You may need one visit or several weeks of care. It depends on multiple factors such as your diagnosis, goals, past medical history and the severity of your impairments. Frequency and length of treatment will be discussed at your initial evaluation. You will be re-evaluated on a monthly basis, and we will provide your doctor with a detailed report of your progress and recommendations.
  • The ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation Centers included in each insurance network varies by city, state and specific policy type. For more information, please contact a center in your area to verify coverage.
  • If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please notify your therapy center.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your first appointment to complete all necessary paperwork.
  • You have the right to choose any therapy center. We have a growing network of centers but not all may have the specialized services you require. For instance, lymphedema therapy, speech language pathology and pelvic health services are only available at certain locations. We will work with you to identify the center that best fits your individual needs.
  • Billing processes for therapy are similar to those of your doctor’s office but can vary by location. For more information regarding billing, contact your local ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation Center.
  • Most insurance policies cover therapy services. Out-of-pocket costs vary by insurance provider and policy type. Prior to your first visit, our clinical support staff will contact your insurance company to verify your benefits. This will be discussed with you prior to your first visit. If you have questions about your benefits, please contact the center where you have scheduled your appointment. 
  • Many of our centers offer various payment options.  We recommend you contact the facility you plan to visit and ask about available options.
  • For questions about your bill, contact the manager at the center where you received therapy.

After your first visit

  • Your ReVital therapist will check your progress often during therapy. They will measure things like strength, mobility and pain. The will also ask you whether you feel you are advancing towards your goals. 

    A full re-evaluation will happen every 30 days, or more often if required by your insurance or physician follow-up schedule. To ensure you are progressing toward your goals, your therapist will compare new measurements to the ones taken on the first visit. Re-evaluations also allow your therapist to determine if therapy is still required and at what frequency. 

    A summary of your progress is sent to your referring physician to promote communication with your cancer care team.

  • The problems experienced by cancer survivors vary widely. Some issues are long lasting and therapy may be suggested for a prolonged period, while others can be resolved within months. Many patients will complete their rehabilitation and return to normal daily activities. Your ReVital therapist will make suggestions and create a plan to follow once therapy is over.
  • New issues are not uncommon, particularly in cancer survivors. Many issues, such as those caused by radiation, may progress over time even if they responded initially to therapy. If you have a new issue or concern, give us a call. We may suggest you come back to see us, return to your doctor or simply modify your daily activities or exercise routine. 
  • Each patient is ultimately responsible for their success in their rehabilitation program. Your cancer rehabilitation therapist cannot do it without you. We can provide you with the tools to recover but we ask that all our patients to be active participants in their care by following through with their home exercise programs and instructions. Recovery is dependent upon your commitment to your personalized plan.
  • Yes. As the nation’s largest provider of cancer rehabilitation services, we believe it is our duty and privilege to do our part to move the science of cancer rehabilitation forward. At any given time, we are involved with critical research projects with some of the top researchers in the nation.
  • Our dedication to ongoing research allows the ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation team to provide patients with highly customized care and scientifically proven treatment programs. We aim to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based medicine.

Take Your Next Step with ReVital