Expanding Your Medical Exercise Practice: Serving Athletes and Children - MET 101 Tip 28

In tip 28 of the MET 101 eBook series, Dr. Mike Jones explores an exciting opportunity for medical exercise professionals: offering services to athletes and children. This tip addresses whether it's feasible and beneficial to extend Medical Exercise (ME) services to these groups.

Key Takeaways:

1. Serving Young Athletes:
• Young athletes, those recovering from injuries, represent a significant market for ME professionals. After they complete physical therapy and receive medical clearance, they often need specialized exercise programs to continue to enhance their performance.
• Working with young athletes not only helps them it also increases community exposure. Families of athletes often become future clients, broadening your base.
• Techniques for young athletes are similar to those used with adult clients, but programs should be adjusted to meet higher functional outcomes.
2. Addressing Childhood...

In the 27th tip from the MET 101 eBook series, Dr. Mike Jones addresses a critical issue for medical exercise professionals: the legality of billing for Medical Exercise (ME) services provided in a client's home when working under a physician not on the premises at the time services are rendered. Medical Exercise Specialists ARE NOT licensed to provide ANY form of physical therapy services.

Key Points:

1. Direct Supervision Requirement:
• Dr. Mike stresses that non-licensed professionals cannot provide ME services billed by a physician as therapy services, without providing direct supervision. The law requires the supervising licensed medical professional to be physically present and capable of overseeing the services provided directly. Also, the Medical Exercise Specialist may not provide services listed under the “Physical Therapy Act” for the state or province.
2. Insurance Fraud Risks:
• Billing exercise services provided in a client’s home as physical...

In the 26th tip from the MET 101 eBook series, Dr. Mike addresses a common question among physical therapists: "Can I bill for Medical Exercise (ME) Services?" This tip offers valuable guidance on how to properly structure and seek payment for these services once a patient has been discharged from physical therapy.

Key Points:

1. Distinguishing Patients from Clients:
• Dr. Mike emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between patients and clients. Once patients are discharged from physical therapy, they transition to being clients for MET services.
2. Billing for ME Services:
• Physical therapists can bill for MET services through a monthly membership model. It is crucial to communicate clearly with insurance carriers, clients, and referral sources that the services provided are not physical therapy but a structured exercise program.
• The billing should reflect a monthly membership fee rather than using CPT codes, which are typically associated with physical therapy...

As the demand for medical exercise training grows globally, we understand the challenges medical exercise professionals face in setting up their practices and marketing their services. While working with clients comes naturally, the administrative and marketing aspects can be daunting. To support you in these crucial areas, the Medical Exercise Training Institute is excited to offer a special on our documentation and communication package.

Introducing the Essential MET Forms Kit

Starting your practice requires just the essential administrative and assessment forms, and we’ve made it easier and more affordable for you. Our Essential MET Forms Kit includes 10 fundamental forms every medical exercise business need:

1. MET Referral Form
2. Physician's Release Form
3. MET Assessment Summary
4. MET Progress Report
5. Gait/Function Assessment Form
6. MET Training Session Log
7. Release of Information Form
8. Client Intent to Exercise Form
9. MET Medical History Form
10. MET...

Physical Therapist/Chiropractor: Optimize Medical Exercise Programs - MET 101 eBook Tip #25

In the latest tip from the MET 101 eBook series, Dr. Mike provides valuable insights on selecting the right personnel to run Medical Exercise (ME) programs. Tip #25 specifically addresses physical therapists, offering guidance on hiring and training rehab technicians to manage aftercare for discharged patients.

Dr. Mike emphasizes that ME programs are designed to complement physical therapy, chiropractic care, and other medical services, ensuring continuous rehabilitation through structured exercise. The ongoing need for exercise is paramount for patients transitioning out of direct medical supervision.

Ideal Candidate Selection: According to Dr. Mike, the best candidate to manage an ME program is a rehab technician with at least one year of experience within the facility. These technicians should ideally complete the Medical Exercise Specialist Training Series (MEST) program. This program...

Medical Exercise Training: Why Medical Exercise Specialists Will Dominate the Next 20 Years

Over the next two decades, the need for Medical Exercise Specialists is poised for exponential growth, driven primarily by the aging Baby Boomer generation. This demographic shift, combined with several key factors, will elevate the importance and recognition of medical exercise training in managing chronic diseases and improving overall health outcomes. Here are seven principal reasons why medical exercise training will see significant growth in the coming years:

1. Recognition from the Medical Community

As the benefits of exercise in managing chronic diseases become more evident, the medical community increasingly recognizes the importance of integrating exercise into management plans. Physicians are beginning to see medical exercise training as a critical component of comprehensive care for individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis. This growing...

As medical exercise professionals, developing and maintaining strong relationships with medical providers is essential for building a successful practice. In the latest tip from the Medical Exercise Training 101 eBook series, Dr. Mike underscores the importance of integrating structured, protocol-based aftercare programs in physical therapy clinics, chiropractic offices, and other rehab settings.

Key Highlights:

1. Understanding the Need for Aftercare Programs Insurance carriers are increasingly reducing reimbursements for physical therapy services, leading to patients being discharged without adequate follow-up care. To bridge this gap, Dr. Mike advocates for the establishment of aftercare programs. These programs provide structured exercise protocols for patients whose insurance benefits have been exhausted but who still require supervised exercise to manage their conditions.
2. Developing Protocol-Based Programs Dr. Mike emphasizes that aftercare programs must be protocol-based to...

"Enhancing Healthcare Collaboration: "Mastering Communication Strategies for Medical Exercise Success" - Post 2

The Role of Communication in Building Medical Relationships

Effective communication is the cornerstone of developing strong relationships with healthcare providers. For medical exercise professionals, maintaining regular and clear communication with medical professionals is essential for collaboration and client care.

Regular Progress Reports

Submitting regular progress reports is a key strategy. These reports keep healthcare providers updated on the progress of their patients who are also your clients. Detailed, accurate reports highlight the benefits of the exercise programs you design, reinforcing the value of your expertise.

Personal Introductions

When submitting reports, consider introducing yourself personally. A phone call or a brief meeting can help build rapport. Healthcare providers are more likely to trust and refer clients to professionals they know and...

Embracing Home-Based MET: MET 101 Tip 23

Tip 23 from the Medical Exercise Training (MET) 101 eBook series focuses on the growing demand for home-based medical exercise services. As the population ages, more seniors are seeking personalized exercise training to maintain and improve their mobility. This shift is driven by the increasing number of seniors exhausting their physical therapy benefits and needing continuous exercise support.

Key Takeaways:

1. Rising Demand: The need for home-based MET services is expanding, with many seniors and limited mobility clients benefiting from this approach.
2. Necessary Equipment: Providing effective home-based services requires minimal yet essential equipment such as a Swiss ball, exercise mat, rubber tubing, step, gait belt, and dumbbells.
3. Importance of Hypertension Monitoring: Professionals must check clients' blood pressure before each session to ensure safety, especially for those with hypertension.
4. Market Opportunities: ...

Medical Relations Post 1

Understanding the Value of Collaboration

Developing relationships with healthcare providers can initially seem challenging for medical exercise professionals. However, these connections are vital for offering comprehensive care to clients with medical conditions. Healthcare providers, with their expertise in anatomy and pathology, complement the skills of exercise professionals who design safe and effective exercise programs.

Start with Existing Connections

Begin by leveraging the healthcare providers of your current clients. When clients experience visible progress through your exercise programs, use this as a conversation starter. Sharing these progress reports not only educates healthcare providers about the benefits of exercise but also positions you as an invaluable resource in post-treatment care.

Effective Communication is Key

Regular communication through progress reports is essential. These reports help maintain a connection and keep healthcare...