Rural Areas Lack Services
Across most of the state, rehabilitation services like physical, occupational, and speech therapies are limited. Some counties may have physical therapy for sports injuries or occupational/speech therapy for early childhood intervention, but most clinics lack the expertise to address complex neurological conditions.
Each year, more than 5,000 people contacted Brain Northwest – a TBI support organization – to be connected to clinicians. But fewer than 100 people per year could be referred for treatment, simply because there aren’t enough clinics in Washington.
People in rural areas lack access to treatment due to cost, not being in a clinic’s insurance network, insufficient time, travel, lack of primary care providers, and more.
These problems are only getting worse. Telehealth services can bridge the gap.
Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinics Are Disappearing
OT, PT, and Speech services across Washington state are quickly disappearing in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Even large systems such as Providence, Swedish, University of Washington, and others have reduced their inpatient (IRF) and outpatient offerings, citing recent federal reimbursement cuts (Medicaid/Medicare), and inability to cover increasing overhead costs (rent, therapist salaries, and tariff-related costs). Click here to learn more about Providence’s recent decision to close their clinics.
Teletherapy Fills the Void
Remote therapy services can help cut overhead and fill the service gap. Brain Tree does not operate out of a physical clinic – all appointments take place through video. This allows Brain Tree to stay open, accept patients who can only pay through insurance or sliding scale private pay, and help patients who live in rural areas. Brain Tree aspires to grow large enough to help fill the massive need for outpatient neurology rehabilitation in Washington State.
Next Steps
To learn about how teletherapy works at Brain Tree Therapies, visit the Teletherapy page.
New and returning patients can schedule an appointment on the Simple Practice patient portal.
Brain Tree 