This blog highlights the experiences and motivations of a physical therapist based in West LA. With a background in managing diverse clinical settings, the therapist shares the rewards of helping patients recover and return to their activities. Despite the challenges of navigating insurance complexities, the therapist values accessible care and finds new hope in Luna's approach to on-demand, home-based physical therapy services.
By Luna and Lily Beltran
I live in West LA.
LA’s weather is amazing all year round—70s and sunny. Living here also means having access to so many different things. There are not too many places in the world where you can go snowboarding and sit on a beach in the same day. There’s so much to see and do in LA—great food, good music, and amazing scenery.
I moved to LA back in 1988 after graduating from LSU with a B.S. in Kinesiology and Masters of Physical Therapy. I took a short internship in LA and had such a great time that I decided to stay. My first job out of PT school was managing a pain clinic where I got exposed to pretty much everything: physical therapy, pediatrics, wound care, neurological pathology, orthopedic injuries, and more. My aide and I would see four patients every hour. I was working hard and couldn’t keep up with all the paperwork. It was really hard work, but I learned a lot of skills that I’ve held onto. I left that job and started working in a private fitness gym treating outpatient orthopedic injuries, eventually taking over the practice.
When I was a senior in high school, I was playing a few different sports. One of my best friends got a knee injury and ended up needing surgery. I got to go with him to a few physical therapy sessions. His PT was a woman who intrigued me so much. I was already interested in science, sports, and the human body, so watching this woman combine the three made me realize this is something I really wanted to do.
The greatest reward of my work is helping people get rid of pain and get better. As a physical therapist, I watch patients come in from all kinds of injuries who are hurting and just want their lives to get back to normal. Watching them transform and return to their sport, job, or lifestyle is a real motivator for me. The greatest reward is seeing your patients happy.
The hardest part of my job is dealing with insurance companies, getting reimbursed, and trying to survive as a business. A lot of clinics have gone cash-based as a result, but I don’t feel comfortable with that. Accessible care matters to me.
Honestly, I was curious. I liked that they weren’t looking for some huge commitment. Now, when I have a patient who is interested in home health, I can refer them to Luna without having to deal with billing or insurance. Quality care is what matters most to me, and Luna is going to help me free up more time to grow. I also have a five-year-old daughter, so on top of running a business, I’m also a part-time dad. She makes all the hard work worth it.
Physical therapy, delivered.
Luna is the leading provider of in-home physical therapy, delivering exceptional care to thousands of patients across the country.
Lily Beltran is the Head of Operations and Co-Founder of Luna, where she has been instrumental in transforming the delivery of outpatient physical therapy by bringing high-quality, in-home care to patients. With extensive experience in healthcare operations, performance improvement, and regulatory compliance, she has successfully led initiatives to optimize patient care, streamline credentialing, and enhance therapist success. Passionate about creating high-value healthcare solutions, Lily combines her expertise in business strategy and clinical performance to drive Luna’s mission of making physical therapy more accessible, convenient, and effective.
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