Physical therapy is a holistic, non-invasive approach to treating musculoskeletal injuries. Working with an experienced physical therapist can help individuals recover from injuries, surgeries, or a wide range of accidents. However, if you’ve never received this type of treatment, you may be unsure about the process or whether or not this care is covered by a standard health insurance plan. In this blog, we work to answer these questions and more by explaining how physical therapy is covered by most health insurance plans.
At Total PT, we believe that every recovery is unique. This is why we develop personalized treatment plans for each one of our patients. We provide close one-on-one care for those experiencing musculoskeletal injuries. Our hands-on, evidence-based therapy techniques have been proven to enhance your wellness, boost your physical performance, and improve the overall quality of your life. We design our treatment programs to ensure you get as much one-one-one time with your doctor as you need.
With open and clear communication, advanced therapy techniques, and a full staff dedicated to your recovery, Total PT can get you back to the life you love.
What is Physical Therapy?
If you’ve never needed this type of care, you may not even have a clear idea of what it can do. Physical therapy is designed to treat musculoskeletal injuries. In doing so, physical therapy can relieve pain, improve mobility, and boost your physical performance. Physical therapy is an ideal form of treatment for athletes or anyone who has experienced an injury and is working toward recovery. Physical therapy is broken down by sessions. The number of sessions will depend on the type of injury and level of care that is needed.
Who Benefits From Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is ideal for a variety of patients and can effectively aid in the recovery process for many different injuries. Many people are shocked to learn about all the different types of injuries and ailments that can be treated by this form of hands-on therapy.
Physical therapy is ideal for individuals experiencing the following health conditions:
· Chronic pain.
· Limited mobility due to an injury or accident.
· Recovery from a sports injury.
· Rehabilitation following a stroke.
· Managing chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease.
· Arthritis.
· Controlling your bowels or bladder.
· Vertigo.
· Adapting to an artificial limb.
· Adapting to the use of assistive devices, such as a walker or cane.
· Recovery from a range of injuries or accidents.
Is Physical Therapy Covered by Insurance?
As a holistic and non-invasive approach to care, physical therapy is a popular—and effective—form of treatment. In fact, millions of Americans visit a physical therapist for outpatient physical therapy services every year. There are over a million practicing physical therapists throughout the world and they have helped countless patients find relief from pain and recover faster from injuries.
Many patients prefer physical therapy because it’s an effective form of treatment that helps them avoid surgery and the potential side effects of prescription drugs. Physical therapy treats injuries at the source, and thus, is more effective than many other types of treatment. But if you’ve never received physical therapy before, you may have a lot of questions about this type of treatment. One of the biggest questions, of course, is whether or not physical therapy would be covered by a standard health insurance plan.
In most cases, yes, physical therapy is covered by health insurance plans. Whether through a private insurance plan, Medicare, or due to worker’s compensation, there’s a good chance that your physical therapy sessions will be covered. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean there will be zero costs for you.
In some plans, you may be required to provide a co-pay for your sessions. The amount of the co-pay varies by the insurance plan. Some insurance providers may limit you to only seeing physical therapists within their network. Seeing one outside of the designated network could put you on the hook for the full cost of your treatment. And finally, some plans will limit the number of covered physical therapy sessions. This limit may be determined by a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis.
Even if you believe your insurance will cover your physical therapy sessions, it’s smart to double-check. Health insurance plans are notoriously complicated and there may be stipulations you aren’t aware of at first glance. Contact your insurance company first to learn the specific details of your coverage concerning physical therapy. Your physical therapy office may also be able to help you determine your amount of coverage.
What Do I Do if Insurance Won’t Cover My Physical Therapy?
While the majority of insurance plans do cover physical therapy sessions, this isn’t always the case. Some health plans may not cover physical therapy, which is why you should always reach out directly to your insurance provider before beginning your treatment. Most physical therapy offices will also provide services to help you understand your insurance coverage.
So, what do you do if physical therapy isn’t included in your physical therapy? Don’t lose hope because you still have several options. First, you can reach out to your primary care physician. See if they will work with your insurance company on your behalf. Sometimes, this type of expert referral is enough to convince your insurance provider to work with you to ensure that you receive the care you need.
You can also contact your insurance company directly. Tell them about your specific situation and needs and see if there are any existing options to enable you to receive physical therapy. Of course, it’s never a guarantee that they will find a solution, but it’s certainly worth a phone call to find out.
If the following options prove fruitless, you may be forced to pay for this type of care out of pocket. Rates will always vary depending on the level of care you need and the number of visits planned out. In some cases, your physical therapist may be able to work with you on a special payment plan. They may offer discounts or special rates for individuals who don’t have health insurance for physical therapy.
At the end of the day, physical therapists are dedicated to treating their patients. This means they’ll do everything possible to help you receive the help you need. If your insurance doesn’t cover physical therapy, don’t give up.
Conclusion – Is Physical Therapy Covered by Insurance?
Total PT is your choice for the best physical therapy care. With personalized care and one-on-one access to Denver’s top physical therapists, our entire team is dedicated to every aspect of your recovery. For those who have experienced a sports injury, need post-surgical treatment, or simply general physical therapy, we’re here to help. Our physical therapy services can provide quick pain relief, restore mobility, and help prevent future injuries. With a holistic approach to treatment, our physical therapy experts offer personalized care for your total health.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your initial consultation. Together, we can get you back to the life you love.
