Outpatient physical therapy can be expensive without insurance, however with most health coverage plans it can be very affordable. For example, physical therapy is typically covered by Medicare. After your deductible is met, Medicare covers 80% of the approved cost of physical therapy. Importantly physical therapy can often save lots of other costs. Researchers in 2018 found that when physical therapy is used as first line treatment for lower back pain, patients are less likely to have to visit the Emergency Room or need advance imaging services (like an MRI), and reduce the probability of having an opioid prescription by 89%.
The process of figuring out your insurance coverage can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! This article will walk you through everything you need to know about Medicare coverage for physical therapy services.