"MET 101 eBook - Tip 31" provides valuable insights for medical exercise professionals on how to grow their practice by building strong referral relationships with healthcare providers. The speaker outlines the role of medical exercise trainers in complementing, rather than replacing, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other medical professionals. One of the key themes is the importance of establishing communication with medical professionals and positioning yourself as a trusted partner in the patient's rehabilitation journey. Here are the main points discussed:

• Medical Exercise Training’s Role:
  MET professionals serve as the “eyes and ears” of the medical community, ensuring safe and effective exercise programs for clients with medical conditions.
• Communication with Medical Providers:
  Many medical exercise professionals fail to communicate with healthcare providers, missing out on valuable referrals. Sending regular progress reports and updates can keep the...

Medical Exercise Training 101 eBook Tip 29 addresses the common question: "Can I work for a chiropractor or registered physical therapist?"

Dr Mike confirms that medical exercise professionals can indeed work in these settings, either as employees or contractors. As an employee, you might work as a rehab aide or exercise technician under the supervision of a licensed medical provider, learning valuable exercise techniques that can later be applied in your own practice. As a contractor, it’s crucial to distinguish between providing exercise services and administering physical therapy or chiropractic care (under the supervision of the licensed medical provider) to ensure clear communication with clients and compliance with regulations.

Ddr. Mike also highlights the importance of understanding Medicare guidelines, which restrict non-licensed staff from working with Medicare patients within a physical therapy clinic. This is vital knowledge for medical exercise professionals to...

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...

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...

In the evolving landscape of fitness and healthcare, the Advanced Medical Exercise Specialist (AMES) Study Group, elevates your skills and knowledge to a higher level. This program, the evolution of the Medical Exercise Specialist Workshop and Certification initiated in 1994, aims to bridge the gap between medical rehabilitation and fitness training.

The Evolution of Medical Exercise

Originally, the Medical Exercise Specialist program focused on transitioning clients from physical therapy into fitness settings, enhancing their functional levels. However, changes in the healthcare system, including further insurance cutbacks and the COVID-19 pandemic, have increased the complexity of clients that fitness professionals encounter. These changes have necessitated an advanced approach to medical exercise training.

The AMES Study Group: A Comprehensive Training Series

The AMES Study Group is an extension of the AMES Training Series and AMES Workshop by offering a deeper dive into the...