Dennison to open physical therapy practice

Bryan Dennison

For the first time in several years, Mammoth residents will have a choice of physical therapy providers.

Bryan Dennision, who boasts an alphabet soup of credentials (PT, DPT, MPT, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT), opens his own physical therapy practice, Summit Physical Therapy, inside Snowcreek Athletic Club this Monday.

He will operate as a private contractor, and is using what was formerly the Kids Activity room.

Dennison has spent the past four and a half years working at Mammoth Hospital’s S.P.O.R.T. (Sierra Park Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Therapy) Center.

The affiliation with Snowcreek will allow Dennison to more easily address the “therapeutic exercise” aspect of care.

Dennison, who is one of only 667 FAAOMPTs (Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists) in the United States, said his practice emphasizes manual therapy plus therapeutic exercise, which generally isn’t quite feasible in private practice because “you’re not going to have the space and the resources.”

Being at Snowcreek, he and his patients will have access to the athletic equipment. “My clients [including non-members] will have 90 minutes of access to the gym as part of their appointment,” he said.

Dennison is committed to what he describes as “evidence-based” practice, incorporating clinical experience, the best research and patient values into his treatment.

“You don’t want someone just telling you to do it a certain way,” he said.

The lesson of his first employer has echoed in his brain ever since: “Patient comes first, patient comes first, patient comes first.”

“My hope is that people will recognize the value I offer. Over the past 4.5 years, I’ve established my reputation … Just talk to my patients. All Physical Therapists are not the same.”

When asked whether or not he was concerned that Mammoth Hospital would withhold referrals to an outside, independent practice (as was allegedly done to Jeff and Valerie Watterson when they owned and operated Mammoth Physical Therapy), Dennison said that he hopes to maintain the excellent relationships which he forged at Mammoth Hospital. “I don’t see why that would change,” he said.

How it will work

Dennison said he will operate as a non-contract provider, meaning he will not have any formal contracts with insurance providers.

He is, however, working on a contract with Medicare, which he expects will be completed within 90 days.

His business model will be to bill in 15-minute increments at a fixed price.

After a session, Dennison will submit bills to insurance.

Insurance doesn’t reimburse nearly as much for non-contract providers, but it does reimburse something.

What consumers will have to weigh is the value of service and the better price Dennison will offer.

“The simpler the books and the less overhead, the better price I can offer,” he said. “The average visit at Mammoth Hospital will run you $120 to $200. I can evaluate you for $75.”

Being an out-of-network provider will also make Dennison a more affordable option for those who may not have insurance or those who have insurance that does not include coverage for physical therapy.

“My whole career has led up to this point,” said Dennison, whose wife, Soo (whom many may know from Edward Jones), will handle the books. They also have a fairly new addition to the family: daughter Alexandra.

“We used to come to Mammoth for vacation and ultimately moved here for the quality of life. Hopefully, we’ll make this work and stay longer.”