Physiotherapy is a mode of treatment that helps improve strength, functionality, and mobility after an injury or surgery. However, people can benefit from physical therapy even if they are not injured, with the programs helping to prevent injury or illness. Regardless of your reason for attending physical therapy sessions, there are several things you will need to familiarize yourself with. One of the most important is the cost of physical therapy. Knowing the cost of your treatment will help you plan better so that you can reach your goals and achieve the results you desire.
How Much Does a Physical Therapy Session Cost?
How much you will pay for a physical therapy session will depend on the nature of your injury and whether you have insurance coverage. Generally, the cost of physical therapy will range from $20 to $350 per session. If you have a health insurance plan, you will pay $20 to $55 per session, while out-of-pocket payments will be between $75 and $150. For private in-home physical therapy, the cost will be $100 to $150 for every visit. The fees charged include initial assessment, use of special equipment, and treatment received.
Your injury location will determine the kind of treatment you need and the length of the sessions. The location of the injury will also affect the amount you will pay per session. Knee injuries will see you paying $25 to $68 with insurance and $100 from the pocket per session. Physical therapy for back pain will cost $126 per session. While rotator cuff physical therapy will cost $100 for evaluation, and the first session, with an additional $50 for any further appointment. The first consultation for pelvic floor physical therapy will cost $225. Pregnant women and those that have delivered a child will pay $180 for every subsequent 45-minute session, while those looking to improve bladder health can often pay $400 to $600 per session.
If you want to reduce the cost of physical therapy treatment, there are several options you can consider. You can choose to private pay physical therapy if your insurance does not cover the costs of the program. Provided you follow your therapist’s advice, exercising from home will help you save some money. In case your insurance provider covers you, consider staying in-network by working with medical professionals in the list of preferred providers. Depending on circumstances, you can seek alternative care from community clinics and other healthcare facilities that provide physical therapy treatments at more affordable rates.
How Long Does a Session Typically Last?
To understand how long a session typically lasts, it is necessary to know what going to a physical therapy clinic involves. A physical therapy program will mostly use a combination of techniques to help relieve pain and improve strength, coordination, flexibility, endurance, and range of motion. Therapists will require patients to use equipment such as treadmills and bikes. In some cases, the therapist will advise patients to do at-home exercises as a way of reducing recovery time. For shorter physical therapy sessions and programs, you should look for the right therapist for your needs.
There is no specific length of time that the first visit to a physical therapist will last. Often, patients will have a referral from their doctor before they visit a therapist for evaluation and treatment. During this session, the therapist will evaluate the needs of the patient and seek to find out how the patient is feeling. They will also create a treatment plan that details the length and number of consequent sessions. A therapist may also provide guidance on at-home exercises. Ongoing visits will feature sessions that last between 30 and 60 minutes each. With the number of sessions in a week depending on the individual receiving therapy. As the body recovers and the patient makes progress, the length and frequency of visits may change.
The goal of most physical therapy programs is pain relief and recovery. Instead of focusing on the length and frequency of the visits, patients should focus on achieving the goals they set for themselves. If a physical therapy program is to be successful. You should stick to the plan, know your body, consult your therapist if you experience any problems, and celebrate every success along the way.
Will Insurance Help Pay?
Whether your physical functions have been limited as a result of injury, disease, illness, or a surgical procedure, physical therapy will help you perform your daily activities better. However, depending on the condition and the individual receiving therapy, the sessions can go on for a number of weeks. Since this pushes up the cost of treatment, patients need to know whether their insurance will help pay the medical bill. Indeed, patients who make out-of-pocket payments end up paying more than those who pay with insurance.
In essence, insurance companies differ on how much they will pay for physical therapy and how long the program can go on for. Since you will want to ensure that you have enough coverage, you should consider taking the steps below.
Ask About Physical Therapy Benefits Before Signing up for a Plan
Before signing up for a health insurance plan, you need to be clear on what it offers you. Take time to establish whether the plan includes physical therapy benefits. A good health plan should give you a minimum of 20 visits per condition every year. While you may need more than 20 sessions, this will cover a huge portion of your physical therapy treatment expenses.
Find out From Your Therapist the Insurance Plans They Accept
When undergoing physical therapy, you can never underestimate the importance of convenience. If you are to make sure that the program runs smoothly, you should find out the specific health plans that the therapist accepts. Doing this way before you require treatment will make it easy for you to choose an insurer.
Be Willing to Fight a Denied Claim
You may find yourself in a situation where your insurer denies you a claim for physical therapy. If this happens, you should be willing and ready to contact the company. And ask them why they will not pay for the sessions or cover you for the entire period of treatment. Having a strong case will increase your chances of getting your insurance to help pay the bills.
Professional Physical Therapy You Can Trust
Even as you think about the cost of physical therapy, you should ensure that you work with a skilled and experienced therapist. A skilled therapist will help you recover faster and resume your normal activities sooner. At North Texas Medical Center, we have dedicated therapists who will provide the exceptional care you need to gain strength and range of motion. Contact us today to learn more about our physical therapy treatment programs.