Accessing Community Physiotherapy Service*

Following an injury, surgery and some hospital procedures, you may require physiotherapy after you leave the hospital. Effective September 1, 2004, the Calgary Health Region will deliver the Community Physiotherapy Service through contracted physiotherapy clinics in Calgary and the surrounding rural areas.

Am I eligible for publicly funded physiotherapy?

Conditions eligible for publicly funded community physiotherapy include:

• Rehabilitation after a broken bone. (Up to 6 visits will be funded.)
• Rehabilitation following surgery or another hospital procedure where physiotherapy is important for recovery. Examples include a total knee replacement or arthroscopic surgery (Up to 9 visits will be funded.)
• If you have a low income and high need for physiotherapy for any condition, you will receive physiotherapy at no cost. You will be asked to demonstrate low-income eligibility at the clinic.  (Up to 6 visits will be funded.)

If you meet the above criteria, you can access physiotherapy through any Calgary Health Region contracted physiotherapy clinic.

People with ongoing, complicated conditions such as arthritis or post-stroke will be cared for at Community Accessible Rehabilitation clinics by a team of rehabilitation specialists (see below).

Sprains, muscle strains and back problems that do not require surgery are not eligible for community physiotherapy.

If you are unsure if you are eligible, or for a further list of contracted physiotherapy clinics, call Calgary HealthLink at 943-LINK (5465) or visit www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/commcare/physio.htm

What if I don't qualify for publicly funded physiotherapy?

If you don't qualify for publicly funded physiotherapy, you may have coverage through health benefits or insurance such as:

• Workers' Compensation Board - Alberta for work related injuries.
• If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, your insurance company may cover it.
• If you have extended health benefits you can talk to your benefits provider to see if you are eligible for physiotherapy for conditions not covered by the Calgary Health Region.
• You may also choose to pay for physiotherapy services.

What are the Community Accessible Rehabilitation Clinics?

Community Accessible Rehabilitation Clinics are a new way of providing rehabilitation services to people in the Calgary Health Region. These clinics will provide one-stop shopping to people with ongoing, complicated conditions or injuries.

At the clinics, a team of health care professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians, speech language pathologists, recreation and respiratory therapists will work together with you to develop a rehabilitation program that will help you to manage your condition.

Two clinics opened in September 2004 at the South Calgary Health Centre and the Peter Lougheed Centre, and a third will open at the Foothills Medical Centre. Other clinics are planned for the future at the Sheldon M. Chumir Centre (downtown) and the North Calgary Health Centre.

To find out if you are eligible for the services provided at these clinics, talk to your physician or contact the clinics directly at:

•    South Calgary Health Centre    943-9484

•    Peter Lougheed Centre            943-4786

More Questions?

For general information about physiotherapy or to find a contracted physiotherapy clinic in your area, call Calgary HealthLink at 943-LINK (5465) or visit www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/commcare/physio.htm

 

* Published by: The Calgary Health Region August 2004