When your home health agency sends a therapy referral, you need more than a quick acceptance. You need confidence that the patient will be contacted, evaluated promptly, treated consistently, and supported throughout the entire episode of care.
Distinctive Therapy Services has developed a straightforward referral process designed to reduce administrative work, improve communication, and help patients receive timely physical, occupational, and speech therapy services.
Here is what happens after you send DTS a therapy referral.
Step 1: Your Agency Submits the Referral
The process begins when your agency submits a referral to Distinctive Therapy Services through TherapyBoss.
Whenever possible, the referral should include:
- The requested therapy discipline
- Whether the visit is an evaluation or start of care
- The patient’s location and contact information
- The requested evaluation date
- Relevant diagnosis and clinical information
- The patient’s start-of-care packet when signatures are needed
- A note identifying time-sensitive orthopedic referrals
Providing complete information helps our team review the request and begin locating the right clinician without unnecessary delays.
Step 2: DTS Reviews the Referral
Once received, our administrative and clinical teams review the referral based on several factors:
- Patient location
- Requested discipline
- Evaluation timeframe
- Clinical needs
- Clinician availability
- Required visit frequency
- Anticipated length of care
DTS strives to respond to new referrals as quickly as possible—often within one hour during normal business hours. If coverage is unavailable, we aim to communicate that promptly so the agency can pursue another option without delaying patient care.
Step 3: We Identify the Right Clinician
After reviewing the referral, DTS contacts clinicians who serve the patient’s area and have the appropriate discipline, experience, and availability.
We do more than locate someone who can complete the evaluation. Whenever possible, we identify a clinician who can support the patient throughout the therapy episode.
Matching patients with clinicians based on territory and availability helps improve:
- Scheduling consistency
- Continuity of care
- Visit-frequency compliance
- Communication
- The overall patient experience
Because DTS is therapist-owned, we also understand the clinical considerations that can affect the best therapist-patient match.
Step 4: The Assignment Is Confirmed
Once a clinician accepts the patient, DTS completes the assignment in TherapyBoss and communicates the update to the agency.
The clinician then receives the referral information needed to contact the patient, coordinate the initial visit, and begin care.
If a scheduling issue arises, our team works with the clinician and agency to find a solution and keep everyone informed.
Step 5: The Patient Is Contacted and Evaluated
The assigned clinician contacts the patient or caregiver to introduce themselves and schedule the initial visit.
DTS aims to complete therapy evaluations within 48 hours of accepting a referral whenever possible. Qualifying postoperative hip and knee replacement referrals are prioritized for next-day evaluation.
During the evaluation, the therapist assesses the patient’s:
- Functional mobility
- Strength and balance
- Ability to complete daily activities
- Communication or swallowing needs
- Home safety
- Caregiver support
- Need for assistive equipment
- Individual therapy goals
The therapist then establishes an appropriate plan of care based on the evaluation findings and physician orders.
Step 6: Therapy Visits Begin
After the evaluation, the clinician coordinates the ongoing schedule with the patient or caregiver.
Depending on the patient’s needs, home health therapy may include:
- Gait and transfer training
- Strengthening and balance exercises
- Fall-prevention education
- Activities-of-daily-living training
- Home-safety recommendations
- Caregiver education
- Cognitive and communication therapy
- Swallowing interventions
- Home exercise programs
- Adaptive-equipment training
Our goal is to help patients improve their safety, independence, and ability to function at home.
Step 7: DTS Supports Communication and Compliance
A successful referral requires more than assigning a clinician. DTS continues supporting the agency, therapist, and patient throughout the episode.
Our team assists with:
- TherapyBoss communication
- Electronic visit verification
- Documentation monitoring
- Visit-frequency compliance
- Credential tracking
- Clinical questions and concerns
- Coordination with agency staff
- Follow-up on scheduling or documentation issues
This ongoing oversight helps agencies spend less time tracking down updates and resolving avoidable problems.
Step 8: The Clinician Completes Reassessment or Discharge
As the patient progresses, the therapist evaluates whether the patient should continue therapy, be recertified, or be discharged.
At discharge, the clinician documents the patient’s progress, functional status, remaining needs, and recommendations for continued safety. Depending on the referral, DTS may complete a discipline discharge or OASIS discharge.
This closes the therapy episode while giving the agency the documentation it needs to maintain a complete patient record.
A Straightforward Referral Process From Start to Finish
The DTS therapy referral process is designed to make home health therapy staffing easier for agencies while providing patients with responsive, consistent care.
From the moment a referral is received through the patient’s final visit, our team focuses on:
- Prompt referral responses
- Appropriate clinician matching
- Timely evaluations
- Consistent communication
- Full-episode coverage
- Documentation and compliance support
Ready to Send a Therapy Referral?
Distinctive Therapy Services provides home health physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy coverage throughout Chicago and many surrounding suburbs.
If your agency has a referral that needs coverage, submit it through TherapyBoss or contact our team to discuss availability.