How Much Does Physical Therapy Cost?
Understanding the cost of physical therapy and what to expect
It Depends
We know that sounds like a cop-out, but we promise to explain why and give you enough information to feel confident
If you've been wondering how much physical therapy costs, don't worry—you are not alone. This is a question we get a lot. While it can be quite complicated, we will try to answer it as best we can.
The first thing you should know is this: it depends. The cost of a physical therapy session can vary greatly based on several factors, which we'll explain below.
Why Do We Say "It Depends"?
Multiple factors influence the cost of your physical therapy visits
Insurance Plan
Different insurance plans have different contracts and payment structures with each clinic. Rates can range from $90 to $130+ per visit depending on your specific plan and provider network.
Where You Go
Large hospital systems can leverage their size for more favorable contracts, leading to higher reimbursement rates and potentially higher copays or coinsurance for you compared to small private practices like HealthSpan PT.
Patient Responsibility
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your insurance details—copay, coinsurance percentage, or whether you've met your deductible. These factors significantly impact what you pay.
What You Do
We bill using specific CPT codes (manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, etc.). Some codes reimburse higher than others, with exercise codes generally paying more since research shows exercise is most effective.
Appointment Length
Visit length affects cost. Some clinics see patients for 30 minutes, others for an hour. At HealthSpan Physical Therapy, we see patients for 40 minutes per visit.
Visit Type
Initial evaluations (your first visit) typically cost more than standard follow-ups due to extra administrative work and the expertise needed to diagnose your injury and develop a plan of care.
How to Estimate Your Cost
Follow these steps to get a better idea of what you'll pay
Check Your Insurance Type
Different insurance types have different reimbursement rates. Here's a general ranking of common insurances we see at HealthSpan PT:
Insurance Rate Ranking
- Higher rates: BCBS, Medicare, most Medicare Advantage plans, McLaren Health Advantage
- Medium rates: Aetna, Priority Health, Humana
- Lower rates: Blue Care Network, UHC, HAP
Note: Medicaid plans typically do not have patient responsibility
HealthSpan PT is typically reimbursed anywhere from $70–$120 for an average follow-up appointment.
Has Your Deductible Been Met?
If deductible NOT met: Use the insurance ranking above with the $70–$120 range. For example, if you have Aetna (medium rate), estimate around $90 per visit until your deductible is met.
Note: Some insurances cover physical therapy even if your deductible hasn't been met, sometimes with only a copay.
Copay or Coinsurance?
If you have a coinsurance: Calculate your percentage. For example, with 20% coinsurance and an estimated $90 visit (Aetna example), your cost would be about $18 per visit.
If you have a copay: That's your flat rate per visit (e.g., $20 copay = $20 per visit).
No copay or coinsurance: You may have no patient responsibility!
Remember: Even two patients with the same insurance company might pay different amounts if their plans have different negotiated rates with the provider.
Cash Pay Rates
Simple, transparent pricing for patients without insurance
Comprehensive first visit including diagnosis, assessment, and personalized treatment plan
Standard 40-minute treatment sessions focused on your recovery and rehabilitation goals
We find that flat-rate cash pay pricing makes things easier for everyone. We don't need to worry about billing details and can focus on providing the best treatment for you. And as the patient, you know exactly what to expect.
Need Help Estimating Your Cost?
HealthSpan Physical Therapy is happy to help with benefit analysis and estimations. Call us for a FREE benefit check to get the most accurate estimate of your visit costs.
Even we can't guarantee 100% accuracy, since it's not uncommon to receive incomplete or inaccurate information during benefit inquiries.