Pro Tip: Shopping for comprehensive Medicare supplemental insurance plans? Read my review of UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare supplement plans, eight different Medigap plans to choose from.
Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy in 2023?
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September 25, 2023
After you meet your Part B deductible, Medicare will cover 80 percent of medically necessary physical therapy costs, with no limit on outpatient physical therapy coverage.
Medicare can cover physical therapy at home, in skilled nursing facilities, and in outpatient rehabilitation facilities.
Medicare Part A can cover some of the cost of physical therapy at either an inpatient facility or your home. The longevity of the treatment, as well as your deductibles and other payments, are taken into consideration when calculating the overall costs of physical therapy.
Keep in mind that Medicare will only pay for services that are “reasonable and necessary” as deemed by your primary care provider. Medicare Part A covers inpatient stays at settings such as rehab centers or skilled nursing facilities.
Since there are no annual caps, Medicare Part B covers medically necessary services that are certified by a doctor or physical therapist. This could include outpatient therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or other forms of therapy in an outpatient setting to alleviate, treat, or prevent conditions. Care can be administered at skilled nursing facilities or provided at home or other outpatient facilities.
Most Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part C plans provide additional coverage that other parts of Medicare (Parts A and B) might not typically cover. For example, Medicare Advantage can cover physical therapy so long as you pay the 20 percent after you meet your Part B deductible, which is $226 in 2023.
If your physical therapy is not medically necessary, you will have to pay the full cost of the treatment.
Medigap, or Medicare supplemental insurance, covers the cost that might not be covered by Parts A and B. You may want to check with your plan to see what’s covered and what you’d have to pay out of pocket. Medigap plans will always cover what Medicare covers, including the 20 percent coinsurance. Some plans will even pay your Part B deductible.
Pro Tip: Shopping for comprehensive Medicare supplemental insurance plans? Read my review of UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare supplement plans, eight different Medigap plans to choose from.
The costs of physical therapy vary depending on your Medicare coverage, but it can range between $75 to $350 per session (out of pocket). Fortunately, there are many ways to ease the financial burden if you qualify for coverage through Medicare.
The good news is there’s no limit on the number of physical therapy treatments within one calendar year as long as your physician or physical therapist can certify that treatment is medically necessary.
In terms of Medicare coverage, Part B helps pay 80 percent of medically necessary outpatient physical therapy. You’d essentially be responsible for 20 percent plus the deductible for Part B. However, the total amount may vary, so be sure to check whether your provider is enrolled in Medicare, what type of treatment you are receiving, and whether you might have other insurance.
Under Part B, you can receive services for physical therapy, speech-language therapy, and/or occupational therapy, depending on what your physician or physical therapist deems medically necessary. Eligibility for Medicare coverage for outpatient physical therapy services varies, but your physician must certify that it is medically necessary.
Medigap covers the gaps in Original Medicare. Check with your plan and provider to see whether Medigap can cover out-of-pocket costs for services related to physical therapy.
Pro Tip: Deciding between Medicare Advantage or Medigap? Read our comparison of Medicare Advantage and Medigap to help you decide which one is more cost-efficient and fitting for your needs.
Medicare coverage for physical therapy largely depends on the specific plan and services you’re enrolled in. For the most part, Medicare can cover part or the full cost of physical therapy, depending on what your physician or physical therapist deems as medically necessary.
For other resources on Medicare and physical therapy, read our helpful guides:
Medicare doesn’t limit the number of days of medically necessary outpatient therapy service in one year that it will pay for.
Yes, Medicare covers either partial or full physical therapy, depending on your situation and eligibility.
Yes, if there is no documentation by a physician or physical therapist that deems that the services are medically necessary, Medicare will deny coverage for physical therapy. Medicare will move forward with a claim only if a licensed physician authorizes the services.
The Medicare physical therapy cap for 2023 is $2,230. If you exceed that amount, your physician or physical therapist must certify and provide documentation that your care is medically necessary.
You don’t need a referral for physical therapy, but Medicare won’t pay for services unless the provider is approved by Medicare.