FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Healthcare Related Questions, Answered for You
WHAT TYPE OF INSURANCES DO YOU ACCEPT?
Evans Hand Therapy is contracted with Medicare, most PPOs, and workers compensation. Call for further information regarding insurance acceptance.
WHAT CAN HAND THERAPY DO FOR ME?
Hand Therapy aims to lower pain, increase strength, and reclaim range of motion for the individual. It includes the upper extremity which includes hands, wrists, arms, elbows, and shoulders. Hand Therapist specialize in treatment, preventative care, post-operational rehabilitation, and non-operative treatment.
WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
Occupational therapy practitioners ask, "What matters to you?" not, "What's the matter with you?"
Occupational therapy allows people across the lifespan to do the activities they want and need to do. An occupational therapist will evaluate your situation and, with input from you (and perhaps your family, care provider, or friend), develop individualized goals that allow you to resume or pursue your valued occupations.
Becoming an Occupational Therapist is a very persevering process. A master's degree programs in occupational therapy typically take two years to complete and include courses in functional anatomy, medical conditions, assistive technology, patient care concepts, and research methods. Occupational therapists must then obtain a state license. Requirements include completion of an accredited occupational therapy program, fieldwork experiences, and a passing score on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
WHAT DOES CHT STAND FOR?
A CHT, or Certified Hand Therapist, are specifically trained to evaluate and provide physical rehabilitation in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. The ultimate goal is to restore function to daily activities of life.
To become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), a physical or occupational therapist must be in clinical practice for a minimum of 5 years. This must include at least 4,000 hours of direct practice in hand therapy. The therapist must then pass a comprehensive and rigorous exam on advanced skills that are required to properly treat the upper extremity. Once certification is obtained, the therapist must then recertify every 5 years. This requires attendance of relevant continuing education courses and knowledge of advancements in clinical practice to stay current with the latest treatment options.