How to Prepare for Your First Visit (6 Steps, ~15 Minutes Total)
1
Verify your insurance. Call
(973) 689-7123 with your insurance card 24-48 hours before your appointment. We verify your benefits, deductible, copay, and any referral or pre-authorization requirements so you have no surprises at check-in.
2
Gather imaging and records. Pull together any MRI, X-ray, or EMG reports from the last 12 months. You do not need the imaging files themselves — just the radiology reports. Email them to the office or bring them to your appointment.
3
List your current medications. Write down everything you take, including over-the-counter pain medications, anti-inflammatories, blood thinners, and supplements. This affects what we can do safely during the evaluation.
4
Wear comfortable clothing. Bring or wear clothing that allows easy access to the area being treated. For lower body (back, hip, knee, ankle) — gym shorts or loose pants. For upper body (neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist) — a loose-fitting shirt or tank top. Changing space is available if you are coming from work.
5
Arrive 10 minutes early. We send a digital intake link 24 hours before your appointment — completing it ahead of time means check-in takes 2 minutes instead of 15.
6
Bring photo ID and insurance card. We need both at check-in. If your insurance is workers' compensation, bring your claim number and case-manager contact information too.
Quick Pre-Visit Checklist
Bring with you
- Photo ID (driver's license)
- Insurance card
- Any MRI / X-ray / EMG reports from the last 12 months
- List of current medications + supplements
- Workers' comp claim number + case manager contact (if applicable)
What Happens at Your First Visit
The first 75 minutes are mostly one-on-one with Dr. Rob Letizia, DPT — not bouncing between an aide and a stretch table. Here is the breakdown:
Detailed History (15-20 minutes)
This is the part patients often underestimate. Dr. Rob will ask about your current symptoms, how the problem started, what makes it better and worse, your activity history, past injuries, surgeries, imaging findings, what other treatments you have tried, your daily activities and work demands, and your goals. The history is where the diagnosis usually starts to take shape — well before the hands-on exam.
Physical Examination (20-25 minutes)
A hands-on assessment of mobility, strength, joint integrity, neurological function, and special tests specific to your condition. For spine cases this includes mechanical testing and directional preference. For shoulder, hip, or knee cases this includes range of motion measurements, manual muscle testing, and condition-specific provocation tests. For nerve-pain cases (sciatica, carpal tunnel, cervical radiculopathy) this includes neurological screen and nerve mobility testing.
Diagnosis Discussion (5-10 minutes)
Dr. Rob walks you through what he found, what he thinks is going on, why he thinks that, and what the treatment plan looks like. He will also tell you what red flags he ruled out and when (if ever) you might need imaging or a physician consultation.
First Treatment Session (20-25 minutes)
Most patients receive treatment on the first visit. This typically includes manual therapy (joint mobilization, soft tissue work, dry needling where indicated), specific exercises matched to what we found, and any other indicated modalities. You also leave with a clear home program.
Insurance, Billing, and Out-of-Pocket Cost
We are in-network with most major commercial insurance and Medicare:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (Horizon BCBS NJ + most affiliated plans)
- Cigna
- Oxford Health Plans
- UnitedHealthcare
- Medicare
- Most NJ Workers' Compensation networks
We do not accept Medicaid plans including Horizon NJ Health or Cigna-HealthSpring. What you will actually pay: if you are in-network, your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan — typically a copay (often $20 to $50) or a portion applied to your deductible until met. We verify your specific plan before the first visit and give you a clear cost estimate. Self-pay rates are available on request — call (973) 689-7123.
See our complete insurance coverage page for plan-specific details.
Direct Access in NJ — No Referral Needed
New Jersey allows you to start PT without a physician's referral. Some insurance plans require a physician sign-off within a certain number of visits — we handle that paperwork for you. For most musculoskeletal conditions you can call us, book, and start care within a few business days. See our complete direct-access guide for the legal and clinical details.
Where We Are + Parking
Spectrum Therapeutics is at 601 Hamburg Turnpike #103, Wayne, NJ 07470 — on the west side of Hamburg Turnpike with a free on-site parking lot in front of the office. Multiple spaces, wheelchair accessible, no paid parking, no garage to navigate. The office is on the ground floor with easy access. We serve patients from Wayne, Paterson, Hawthorne, Pompton Lakes, Lincoln Park, Little Falls, Verona, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, and most of Passaic and Bergen Counties.
Cancellation Policy
We ask for 24 hours notice for cancellations so we can offer the slot to another patient on the waitlist. Same-day cancellations or no-shows may incur a fee — call us as early as possible if something comes up and we will work with you. Life happens; we just appreciate the heads up.
What to Expect After Visit 1
By the end of the first visit you will have:
- A clear understanding of what is going on and why
- A home exercise program you can actually follow (usually 10-15 minutes a day, not 90)
- An estimated number of visits — and what success looks like at each milestone
- The next appointment booked, usually within 3-7 days for acute issues, 7-14 for chronic
Most patients see meaningful change in symptoms within the first 3 to 6 visits. If you are not seeing change by visit 6, Dr. Rob reassesses the diagnosis and adjusts the approach — including, when indicated, referring you for imaging or specialist consultation.
Pre-Visit FAQs
How long is the first physical therapy visit at Spectrum Therapeutics?
Plan for 75 minutes. Most of that is one-on-one with Dr. Rob: a detailed history, a hands-on physical examination, special tests for your specific condition, and the initial treatment session. You will leave with a clear understanding of what is going on and a starting home program.
Do I need a referral from my doctor to start PT in New Jersey?
No. New Jersey is a direct-access state for physical therapy. You can call and book an evaluation without a physician's referral. Most insurance plans accept this; some require a physician sign-off within a specific number of visits, which we handle for you. If you suspect a severe case that may need imaging or specialist consultation, a physician visit makes sense first — but for most musculoskeletal complaints you can call us directly.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Insurance card, photo ID, any imaging reports (MRI, X-ray, EMG) from the last 12 months, and a list of current medications. If you have a workers' compensation claim, bring your claim number and case-manager contact information. The intake form we email you the day before takes 10 minutes — complete it ahead of time and check-in is much faster.
What should I wear to my first PT visit?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being evaluated. For lower body conditions (back, hip, knee, foot, ankle), gym shorts or loose pants work well. For upper body (neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist), wear a loose-fitting shirt or tank top. We have changing space available if you want to come straight from work and change at the office.
Will I actually get treatment on the first visit, or just an evaluation?
Yes — most patients receive treatment on the first visit. After the history and physical exam, we typically begin with manual therapy, specific exercises, and any other modalities indicated for your condition. We also give you a clear home program before you leave so you can keep momentum between visits. The first visit is the highest-value session because it sets the entire trajectory of care.
What insurance does Spectrum accept?
We are in-network with Aetna, Horizon BCBS NJ and most Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates, Cigna, Oxford Health Plans, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, and most NJ workers' compensation networks. We do NOT accept Medicaid plans including Horizon NJ Health or Cigna-HealthSpring. Call (973) 689-7123 before your visit and we will verify your specific plan benefits.
How much will my first visit cost out of pocket?
If you are in-network with one of the insurance plans we accept, your out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan — typically a copay (often $20 to $50) or a portion applied to your deductible until met. We verify your benefits before the first visit and will give you a clear cost estimate. Self-pay rates are available on request.
Is there parking at the office?
Yes — free on-site parking in the lot directly in front of the office at 601 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, NJ. The lot has multiple spaces and is wheelchair accessible. No paid parking, no garage to navigate, no parking validation needed.
What is Spectrum's cancellation policy?
We ask for 24-hour notice for cancellations so we can offer the slot to another patient on the waitlist. Same-day cancellations or no-shows may incur a fee — call us as early as possible if something comes up and we will work with you. Life happens; we just appreciate the heads up.
What if I have anxiety about physical therapy or it has not worked for me before?
That is common, especially among patients who have tried PT before at a high-volume chain and felt rushed or passed off to assistants. Spectrum is different by design: every minute of every visit is one-on-one with Dr. Rob Letizia, DPT. No aides, no techs, no rotating clinicians. Tell Dr. Rob what did not work before — that history shapes the plan. Most patients who have had previous unsuccessful PT see meaningful change within the first 3 to 5 visits.
How many visits will I need overall?
It depends entirely on your condition, severity, and how acute or chronic it is. Acute injuries often resolve in 4 to 8 visits. Moderate orthopedic conditions typically need 8 to 12. Complex spine, post-surgical, or chronic-pain cases may need 12 to 20+ visits with tapering frequency. Dr. Rob will give you a realistic estimate at the end of the first visit, and we update the plan visit-to-visit based on your progress.
Can I bring a family member or partner to my first visit?
Absolutely. Many patients bring a spouse, family member, or close friend to the first visit — it helps to have a second set of ears for the home program instructions, and family involvement often improves follow-through. There is comfortable seating in the treatment area.
