How Aquacare Can Help Healthcare Providers

Aquacare Physical Therapy is proud to continue to serve the physical therapy, occupational therapy, and orthopedic rehabilitation needs of our community. Aquacare helps hospital systems, healthcare providers, and outpatient clinics by providing services both in our gym and aquatic locations and in the homes, fitness centers, and community pools where your patients live, work, and play.

Aquacare is a locally owned and operated private physical therapy business. We are women-owned and physical therapist-owned and have been providing outpatient physical therapy services in Delaware and Maryland for 25 years.

We specialize in many outpatient rehabilitation programs including orthopedic rehabilitation, spine, aquatics, sports medicine, pelvic health, lymphedema, cancer, vestibular, and neurological rehabilitation. We deliver the Wow Factor for our patients and staff through gym-based and warm-water aquatic physical therapy in 11 locations:

  • Lewes, Delaware (two locations)
  • Milford, Delaware
  • Millsboro, Delaware
  • Millville, Delaware
  • Seaford, Delaware
  • Salisbury, Maryland (two locations)
  • Berlin, Maryland,
  • Easton, Maryland
  • Annapolis, Maryland (Fitness Forum)
  • Kent Island (Fitness Forum)

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Now Offering Mobile Therapy with PT PLUS

In-home and mobile physical therapy services are extremely limited in this region, so we can offer huge value both to your patients and the community. Aquacare PT PLUS is here to help.

Your patients are asking for convenience! It is often difficult for patients to drive and attend therapy three times weekly at a clinic. We are here to provide easy access for those patients that cannot drive to attend therapy OR would prefer to have therapy in their home, golf course, or community pool!

Aquacare PT PLUS will provide a home therapist after the patient returns home, eliminating the need for inpatient rehabilitation or waiting for home health services to be scheduled.

This is for active adults; not patients who are home-bound.

How to Refer to Aquacare PT PLUS

Your patient does not have to be confined to their home to qualify.

Once a patient has been identified for Aquacare PT PLUS, the providers’ office will fax a referral to  Aquacare at 302-945-6959.

In the comments section of an outpatient physical therapy referral, please state:

Aquacare PT PLUS requested, surgery date: __________.

Please make sure the patient’s name, and contact information are on the referral.

Once we receive the order, we will call the patient to schedule the pre op home assessment visit and their 1-2 post operative visits with an Aquacare PT PLUS physical therapist prior to their surgery date.

Telehealth can also be offered if preferred by the patient.

Here is our contact information: 443-513-3910.

How Does Aquacare PT PLUS work?

 

Before Surgery Visit

Our therapists performs a home assessment evaluation preoperatively in a patient’s home and recommends a caregiver/coach be present at the time of the preoperative home assessment. (1 visit)

Aquacare PT PLUS recommends appropriate equipment and home modifications.

  • Answer questions to calm their fears about having the surgery and returning home post operatively from the hospital.
  • Perform/review the necessary transfers to return home safely. (stairs, car, bed, shower, toilet, etc.) with assistive device, if applicable.
  • Review post op precautions and HEP.
  • Discuss pain management options with ice, elevation, etc.
  • Take pre circumferential measurements.
  • Review plan for wound and drain care.

After Surgery Visits

  • The outpatient therapist will return post operatively for 1-2 visits (on average) after the patient returns home to help the patient transition back to the home and then to an outpatient therapy clinic.  This time in the home can be extended, if the patient has transportation difficulties to and from the outpatient therapy clinic.
  • During the post operative visit the following will occur.
    • Wound monitoring.
    • Start treatment protocol.
    • Gait and balance training.
    • Pain management during PT treatment.
    • HEP reviewed.

This program is covered under outpatient physical therapy services, including Medicare Part B, Medicaid, Humana, BCBS, UHC, W/C, Medicare Advantage Plans, HMOs, etc.    

Who Qualifies for Aquacare PT PLUS – In the Home?

  • Patients who do not qualify for home health services.
    • Nursing oversight/management not needed.
      • Example: Patient is not receiving Coumadin post operative.
  • Patients are waiting for a home health appointment or outpatient in clinic appointment and there is a waitlist for access.
  • Patients who have exhausted their home health benefits.
  • Patients who have outpatient PT and OT benefits. (We will verify.)
  • Patients who expressed concern over their home setup and want to go to an SNF but can really transfer home safely with Aqucare PT PLUS.
    • We can perform Aquacare PT PLUS in their home, a friend’s home, or anywhere they are staying post operatively.

Aquacare PT PLUS vs. Home Health Services

With ongoing changes to the reimbursement structure, including the advent of alternative payment models, providers are looking for innovative ways to provide high-quality, cost-effective care.  In addition, quality of care, measured by patient outcomes and patient satisfaction scores, is also increasingly being used to determine reimbursement.  In response to these changes, Aquacare PT PLUS is offering an innovative program of pre and post operative individualized outpatient therapy visits in the home for surgical patients by a licensed physical therapist to help the patient transition home safely after surgery at the hospital or surgery center.

Cost Comparison

aquacare pt plus vs home health

Research Article:

Menon, Nandakumar, Turcotte, Justin, Stone, Andrea, Adkins, Amanda, MacDonald, James, King, Paul. “Outpatient, Home-Based Physical Therapy Promotes Decreased Length of Stay and Post-Acute Resource Utilization After Total Joint Arthroplasty.” The Journal of Arthroplasty. Volume 35: pages 1968-1972. 2020.  Pub Med: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32340828/

Dizziness: When Physical Therapy Can Help

Vestibular, Neurological & Cervicogenic Causes

Physical therapy plays a key role in identifying and treating dizziness caused by vestibular, cervical, or neurological conditions—helping patients regain function, reduce fall risk, and avoid unnecessary imaging or medication.

When PT is Appropriate – By Diagnosis Code:

H81.1 – Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

  • Positional vertigo, imbalance
  • PT is highly effective; canalith repositioning often resolves symptoms in 1–2 visits

H81.8 – Other Disorders of Vestibular Function

  • Chronic dizziness, vestibular hypofunction
  • Treated with gaze stabilization, habituation, and balance training

H83.01 / H83.09 – Labyrinthitis / Vestibular Neuritis

  • Acute vertigo, often post-viral
  • PT restores balance, coordination, and confidence

M54.2 – Cervicalgia (Neck Pain)
R42 – Dizziness and Giddiness

  • Cervicogenic dizziness, often with neck stiffness or poor posture
  • Manual therapy and postural retraining can significantly improve symptoms

F07.81 – Post-Concussion Syndrome

  • Dizziness, headaches, cognitive fog
  • PT addresses vestibular dysfunction, balance, and visual coordination

R27.0 – Ataxia, Unspecified

  • Unsteady gait, frequent falls
  • Treated with gait training and neuromuscular re-education

G35 – Multiple Sclerosis

  • Vestibular symptoms, imbalance
  • PT provides compensation strategies and improves stability

Note: Neurologic causes should be referred after imaging/medical work-up.
PT can assist with compensation and balance retraining.

PT Evaluation Includes:

  • Vestibular maneuvers (e.g., Dix-Hallpike, Epley)
  • Cervical spine assessment
  • Gait and balance training
  • Fall prevention strategies
Refer when:
  • Symptoms persist after ENT or imaging
  • Cervical dysfunction is present
  • Post-concussion symptoms affect mobility or function

Let’s work together to help patients stop spinning and regain control.
Refer: 844-547-7432.

What the Research Shows:
  • A 2023 study in Frontiers in Neurology found that vestibular rehabilitation significantly improves symptoms in patients with both peripheral and central vestibular disorders—reducing dizziness severity by up to 60% within 6–8 sessions.
  • The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends early canalith repositioning maneuvers (Epley, Semont) by trained clinicians for BPPV, often resolving symptoms in 1–2 visits.
  • A 2022 Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery guideline update highlighted the effectiveness of PT for cervicogenic dizziness, especially post-concussion or whiplash.
  • Geriatric studies show that vestibular rehab reduces fall risk, improves gait stability, and decreases emergency visits among older adults with balance-related dizziness.

PT treatment may include canalith maneuvers, gaze stabilization, balance retraining, and cervical mobilization when appropriate. Early intervention helps clarify benign vs. central causes and reduces long-term functional impact.

Early referral to physical therapy can significantly shorten the duration of dizziness, reduce medication dependence, and help clarify whether further workup is needed. We’re available to assess and treat patients with non-urgent dizziness symptoms—and will refer back promptly if signs of central or emergent pathology are suspected.

Why Co-Management Works for Musculoskeletal Issues

Physical therapists are uniquely positioned to:

  • Provide hands-on, movement-based solutionsthat reduce pain and improve function—without the side effects of medications.
  • Educate and empower patientsto take an active role in their recovery, improving long-term adherence.
  • Track functional outcomesand share progress updates with referring providers.
  • Address contributing factorssuch as muscle imbalances, joint stiffness, or postural dysfunction—often overlooked in standard care.

Evidence-Based Impact on Cost & Outcomes

A growing body of research supports early conservative treatment:

  • A 2018 Health Services Researchstudy found that early physical therapy for low back pain reduced downstream costs by 60%, including lower opioid use, imaging, and surgical rates.
  • The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeonsreports that nonsurgical management of osteoarthritiscan delay or even eliminate the need for joint replacement surgery—significantly reducing long-term healthcare costs.
  • Patients who receive PT first for MSK pain have fewer specialist visits, fewer unnecessary tests, and better functional outcomes, according to studies published in JAMA Network Open.

Chronic MSK Conditions We Help Co-Manage:

  • Osteoarthritis (hip, knee, shoulder)
  • Chronic low back or neck pain
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy
  • Chronic pelvic pain or postural dysfunction
  • Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndromes

A Collaborative Workflow

Our goal is to make co-management seamless for your office:

  • Same-week evaluationsto prevent treatment delays
  • Customized care planswith updates sent to your office
  • Prompt identificationof cases needing re-evaluation or imaging
  • Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)to extend support and improve compliance between visits
The Results

Patients who engage in physical therapy early:

  • Experience reduced pain and disability
  • Require fewer medications
  • Avoid unnecessary imaging or surgical intervention
  • Report higher satisfaction with their overall care

Let’s work together to give your patients more than a prescription—let’s give them a plan.

To schedule a lunch-and-learn or refer a patient for chronic MSK management, contact us directly at 844-547-7432.

Physical Therapist Spotlight – Megan Montante, PT, DPT, OCS

Megan Montante, PT, DPT, OCS Clinical Director – Aquacare Lewes – King Street Row has officially earned the title of Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)—a designation that reflects advanced expertise in treating orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions.

This certification, awarded by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, demonstrates Megan’s commitment to clinical excellence and evidence-based care.

As Clinical Director of our Lewes clinic, Megan specializes in post-surgical rehab, sports injuries, and orthopedic conditions. She is also LSVT certified, specializing in treatment for Parkinson’s AND has completed part C of the McKenzie Spine Program. She is a trusted partner to physicians for her collaborative care and outstanding patient outcomes.

To refer a patient to Megan: 302-200-9920.

Contact us online here.