How much do insurance companies pay for physical therapy?

Asked by: Mr. Horace Jenkins II  |  Last update: August 2, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (37 votes)

How Much Does Physical Therapy Cost With Insurance? Physical therapy costs $20-55 per session. Most insurance providers can cover at least 50 percent of the costs. But coverage is only accessible after you've paid your yearly deductible, which could range from $250 to $1250 or higher.

How much physical therapy will insurance cover?

For instance, you might pay a $30 co-pay for each physical therapy session after meeting your deductible. Coverage Limits: Many insurance plans limit the number of annual physical therapy visits, often covering 20 to 60 sessions, depending on your plan and medical necessity.

How much is a physical therapy session with insurance?

Note that if you have insurance to cover physical therapy, you likely won't be paying the entire amount yourself. The average copay for a physical therapy visit is between $25 and $50.

Why is my physical therapy not covered by insurance?

For example, a patient may have reached their maximum benefits for the year, or their policy may not cover certain services, such as physical or occupational therapy. Other eligibility issues include: Inactive or terminated insurance policies. Insufficient coverage for the service provided.

How much is 8 weeks of physical therapy?

Physical therapy costs $25 to $60 per session on average for a co-payment with insurance. Out-of-pocket physical therapy costs $70 to $160 per session without insurance. Physical therapy treatments for a 6- to 8-week period will cost $200 to $1,450 on average with insurance coverage.

How Much Does Physical Therapy Cost With Insurance? Insurance coverage and cost breakdown

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How much is cash pay for physical therapy?

Typical cash based physical therapy rates

Physical therapy private pay rates can vary widely depending on factors such as location, provider expertise, practice setting, and the specific services offered. Generally, cash pay rates for physical therapy sessions range from $75 to $125 per session.

Is physical therapy covered by insurance Blue Cross?

By choosing Blue Cross Insurance for your physical therapy needs, you can enjoy the benefits of continuity of care. This means that if you require ongoing treatment or multiple sessions, Blue Cross Insurance will support your treatment plan and provide coverage for the duration of your therapy.

Why would insurance deny physical therapy?

Common reasons for medical claim denials in physical therapy include: Lack of Medical Necessity: Insurers often deny claims if the therapy does not meet their criteria for medical necessity. Treatment plans must be well-documented and justified in terms of medical necessity.

What if I can't afford physical therapy?

If you cannot afford physical therapy, there are several alternatives and resources that may help you access support and treatment at a lower cost or for free: Sliding scale fees: Some physical therapists or clinics offer sliding scale fees based on your income, making their services more affordable.

How much is a hospital bill for physical therapy?

Cost Per Hour

Many hospitals charge patients on an as-per-hour basis for physical therapy treatments. The average cost per hour can be expected to be between $20 to $75. However, the cost can vary depending on several factors, like the treatment method and the therapist's experience.

How much does a physical cost with insurance?

For patients with insurance but not eligible for a free annual physical exam, most will be responsible for copays of between $10 to $50. Alternatively, some face coinsurance of at least 10%-50%. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality indicates that the national copay average is around $19.

Can you get reimbursed for physical therapy?

Most private health insurance plans offer coverage for physical therapy, but the amount reimbursed depends on the specific policy.

Does insurance usually pay for physical therapy?

Most health insurers, including Medicare and Medicaid, will cover all or part of the cost of physical therapy services. Private health insurers will often cover a portion of the cost for PT as well. You may have cost-sharing for PT, like meeting your insurance deductible or copays.

How to get therapy when insurance doesn t cover it?

10 Affordable Therapy Options Without Insurance
  1. Medicaid. ...
  2. Sliding Scale Therapists. ...
  3. Online Therapy. ...
  4. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) ...
  5. College Healthcare Centers. ...
  6. Disability Benefits. ...
  7. Group Therapy. ...
  8. Support Groups.

Why don't physical therapists go by doctor?

So, while physical therapists aren't doctors in the traditional sense, they are trained as doctors in their specific field of physical therapy. A key difference between the two (aside from specified training) is the notion that fellowships and residencies are optional in the PT program.

How much does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover for therapy?

If you choose a therapist who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, your therapy sessions likely cost between $15 - $50 per session, after you meet your deductible. The $15 - $50 amount is your copay, or the fixed amount that you owe at each therapy visit.

How do you know if a therapist is covered by insurance?

Check your description of plan benefits—it should include information on behavioral health services or coverage for mental health and substance-use disorders. If you still aren't sure, ask your human resources representative or contact your insurance company directly.

How do I check if my insurance covers something?

If you have any questions about what your plan covers, contact your insurance company. Member Services representatives are there to answer exactly these types of questions. They can tell you whether a doctor, prescription or service is covered, plus how much your insurance will pay.

How much does it cost to see a physical therapist with insurance?

How Much Does Physical Therapy Cost With Insurance? Physical therapy costs $20-55 per session. Most insurance providers can cover at least 50 percent of the costs. But coverage is only accessible after you've paid your yearly deductible, which could range from $250 to $1250 or higher.

Can insurance deny physical therapy?

The goal of insurers is to pay out the least amount possible, so physical therapy may be denied simply because of the cost, regardless of the fact that your doctor believes the therapy will definitely help you recover more quickly while minimizing pain.

How many PT visits are allowed on Medicare?

There's no limit on how much Medicare pays for your medically necessary outpatient physical therapy services in one calendar year.

How is physical therapy billed?

Each healthcare industry uses different medical billing services and codes. However, the fields of physical and occupational therapy generally use the same standardized unit-based system for billing patients. In this system, each unit represents the specific amount of time the therapist spent providing treatment.

Why are physical therapy copays so high?

Most health insurance plans designate physical therapist services in the “specialist” category which enables them to charge a higher copay for these services. It is not uncommon for some insurance carriers to charge $40 or $50 copays for services rendered by a physical therapist.

How do you pay for therapy out of pocket?

Some of the ways to pay for therapy include:
  1. Paying out of pocket with cash, a check, or a debit card.
  2. Paying using a special account for medical expenses like a Health Savings Account (HSA)
  3. Paying via credit by using a credit card or a payment plan set up by a health organization.