In California, you have the right to see a licensed physical therapist directly — without a physician's referral. This is called Direct Access, and it means faster care, less hassle, and better outcomes.
What Is Direct Access?
California law allows patients to receive physical therapy evaluation and treatment for up to 45 days (or 12 visits) without a physician referral. After that period, a physician's referral is required for continued care.
This means you can:
- Call us today and schedule an appointment — no referral needed
- Start treatment faster — no waiting for a doctor's appointment first
- Get answers about whether physical therapy is right for your condition
- Save time and money by going directly to the specialist
When Is Direct Access Right for You?
Direct access is ideal if you:
- Have a new injury you'd like evaluated quickly
- Are dealing with recurring pain you know responds well to physical therapy
- Want to get a professional assessment before seeing a physician
- Have been referred before and want to return for a similar issue
Is It Covered by Insurance?
Most major insurance plans cover physical therapy whether or not a referral was required. Our team is happy to verify your benefits before your first visit. Call us at (714) 831-0031 and we'll walk you through it.