Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept insurance?

As of July 2025, Aetna is the only insurance company we accept for new patients, and we will continue to be an out of network provider with them. For new patients with other carriers, we can provide a medical receipt known as a "superbill" that can be submitted directly to the carrier for reimbursement according to the applicable plan's benefits. Any Aetna plan must offer out of network benefits in order for PT with us to be covered, and will be subject to the plan's deductible and coinsurance.

As required by law, a Good Faith Estimate is available upon request, though pricing is already transparent. If you have additional questions about insurance, we can discuss questions you may wish to ask your carrier to better understand your benefits and reimbursement.

Do I need a doctor's prescription before starting physical therapy?

New York's Direct Access law allows patients to seek treatment directly from a licensed physical therapist without a prescription for 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first, for each episode of care.

How much do PT treatments cost?

Self-pay rates are $290 for the initial evaluation and treatment, and follow-up treatments for the same condition are $230. We accept Zelle, Venmo, credit cards, HSA/FSA cards, or cash. There is a 2.75% convenience fee for in-person card payments, and 3.75% for card-on-file or manually entered payments.

What sets you apart from the bigger clinics, many of which are in-network with my insurance?

Unlike most clinics that maximize profits by double- or triple-booking patients, Dr. Chan prioritizes quality of care above all else. She is uncommonly analytical, attentive, fastidious, and intuitive, and gives her patients her undivided attention during each 1:1, 50-minute session. Patients never feel they are in a "mill" or a "PT factory." By choosing a low volume, high quality practice model, she delivers patient-focused care tailored to your unique needs.

Dr. Chan has treated countless patients whose doctors and former therapists alike had misdiagnosed or misunderstood the nature of their problems and were thus unable to solve them. She is meticulous, asks detailed questions, and strives to help you not only understand your condition but also its root cause. Her approach is hands-on, holistic, and solution-oriented, and she calibrates each of plan of care to a patient's individual needs, ability, and goals, helping them to not only recover but also gain a deeper understanding of their body longer term.

Why should I choose PT over a chiropractor, personal trainer, massage, or other exercise-based approach?

Physical Therapists are experts in analyzing movement, biomechanics, and neuro-musculoskeletal issues. The Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) is an advanced clinical degree that provides the education and training to evaluate, diagnose, create a plan of care, and effectively treat pain and dysfunction. High quality PT is all-encompassing, and PTs employ a variety of techniques from soft-tissue and joint mobilizations, therapeutic exercises, stretches, postural/functional/biomechanical training, and much more. No other discipline both heals patients while simultaneously empowering them to understand and manage their body independently, long-term.

How will my PT know how to treat me without a doctor's prescription or diagnosis?

As stated by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), "Physical therapists are well-qualified, both through formal education and clinical training, to evaluate a patient's condition, assess his or her physical therapy needs and, if appropriate, safely and effectively treat the patient. Physical therapists are also well-qualified to recognize when patients demonstrate conditions, signs and symptoms that should be evaluated by other health care professionals before therapy is instituted."

What should I wear?

Lightweight, loose or stretch materials are ideal for comfort and movement, and to expose the involved area if necessary. Gym shoes are not needed, but socks are required.

How long will I have to undergo PT?

No two people or conditions are exactly alike, but in most clinics, a typical course of PT runs 6 to 8 weeks at a frequency of 2 to 3 times per week. However, with our one-on-one treatment model, patients come for fewer visits and less frequently than they would elsewhere, due to more personalized attention and higher efficacy of each visit. Patients are advised upon their recommended frequency on a case-by-case basis.

What are your COVID-19 policies?

Dr. Chan has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Since February 21, 2022, masking has been optional. Our studio continues to use medical grade HEPA air filters, effective to 0.1 microns. We ask that patients do not arrive early in order to limit studio occupancy, and if you have symptoms of COVID-19, a recent exposure, or other cold or flu symptoms, we kindly ask that you let us know in advance to determine how to proceed.

How do I make an appointment?

Please email StephanieChanDPT@gmail.com or call directly at 646.789.4279.