How Much Does Medicare Pay For Physical Therapy In 2020

What Are Medicare Physical Therapy Benefits With Medicare Advantage Plans

Physical Therapy Reimbursement – Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 2020

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your Medicare physical therapy benefits may be slightly different. Medicare Advantage plans must provide the same level of benefits as Original Medicare, at a minimum. However, because these plans are offered by private insurance companies, they are free to offer extra benefits in addition to those under Part A and Part B. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check with your plan administrator or your plan documents to see how it covers physical therapy.

Do you have any questions about Medicare physical therapy? Feel free enter your zip code on this page to browse Medicare plan options in your area.

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Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

The cost of pelvic floor physical therapy is $225 for the first consultation and then $180 after that for each 45-minute session for women who are pregnant or have delivered a child. In a pelvic-floor rehabilitation program to improve bladder health, sessions may cost anywhere from $400 to $600.

Many patients struggling with incontinence prefer paying the lower pelvic floor physical therapy costs since they can prevent the need for surgery. Incontinence surgeries can range from $1,000 to $10,000.

The health of the pelvic floor muscle group is important for bladder control, relieving constipation, and overall reproductive health in men and women. Sometimes pelvic-floor physical therapy sessions could be part of a larger treatment plan supervised by mental health professionals, general physicians, and even sex therapists.

How Do Obamacare Health Insurance Plans Cover Physical Therapy

All health insurance plans sold through the federal marketplace or the state exchanges must cover physical therapy to some extent.

This doesnt mean all Obamacare health plans cover all forms of physical therapy, or cover them fully. Thanks to the ACA, Obamacare plans:

Can’t put dollar limits on the care you receive from a physical therapist.
Can cap how many times you visit a physical therapist.
Can restrict which treatments are covered.

May only reimburse you for visits to physical therapists if you use in-network providers.

In other words, you may still need to pay 100% of the costs associated with your physical therapy if you have an Obamacare plan.

The amount you pay has to count toward your plan’s deductible or coinsurance, but that’s pretty much all the law requires here.

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Kx Modifier And Exceptions Process

If services exceed the annual threshold amounts, claims must include the KX modifier as confirmation that services are medically necessary as justified by appropriate documentation in the medical record. There is one amount for PT and SLP services combined and a separate amount for OT services. This amount is indexed annually by the Medicare Economic Index .

For 2021 this KX modifier threshold amount is:

$2,110 for PT and SLP services combined, and
$2,110 for OT services.

The threshold process consists of 2 tiers:

When patients reach the outpatient therapy threshold for that year, you must use the KX modifier and document the reasons for the additional services.

For services over $3,000, a targeted medical review process kicks in.

What Does It Mean To Be Medically Necessary

What happens when you hit the cost threshold for Medicare-covered physical therapy? Your doctor has to agree your treatments have some medical necessity. That way, you can continue receiving benefits.

But what exactly does that mean?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services defines medically necessary services as::

Needed to diagnose or treat a medical condition

Provided to diagnose, care for, or treat a medical condition
Up to the standards of good medical practice in your state
Not for the convenience of you or your physician

A doctor will deem the physical therapy necessary for your condition. Then, he or she will give you a Certificate of Medical Necessity. This important document proves that youre eligible for continuing outpatient physical therapy coverage.

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Using The Kx Modifier

Add the KX modifier to claim lines to indicate that you are attesting that services at and above the therapy thresholds are medically necessary, and that documentation in the patient’s medical record justifies the services. This includes documentation that patients, based on their condition, require continued skilled therapyie, therapy beyond the amount payable under the threshold to achieve their prior functional status or maximum expected functional status within a reasonable amount of time.

You do not need to submit special documentation along with the KX modifier threshold. You are responsible for consulting guidance in the Medicare manuals and professional literature to determine if the beneficiary qualifies for the exception.

Note that while this process is “automatic,” your submission is not binding on the Medicare contractor, who makes the final determination on whether the claim is payable.

In making a decision about whether to use the KX modifier, consider, for example, whether services are appropriate to:

The patient’s condition, including the diagnosis, complexities, and severity.
The services provided, including their type, frequency, and duration.
The interaction of current active conditions and complexities that directly and significantly cause the treatment to exceed the therapy threshold.

How Much Does Physical Therapy Cost

If you have health insurance, you’ll probably have to cover a copay of $10 to $50 per physical therapy session. Some plans won’t kick in until you reach your deductible, though, which could add to your costs. Another factor to keep in mind: if you receive this care outside your insurer’s network, you’ll pay more than if you get it from an in-network provider.

If you have to pay out of pocket for physical therapy, expect to pay at least $50 and as much as $350 or more per session. How much you pay in this situation depends on several factors, so do your research and ask plenty of questions before you schedule anything.

How much you or your insurance company pays for physical therapy depends on factors like:

The type of therapy.
The length of each session.
The overall length of treatment.

The care provider.

The type of physical therapy matters because some types cost more than others. Also, longer sessions usually cost more than shorter ones. And if your rehabilitation or recovery requires you to visit your physical therapist a number of times, the overall cost of your treatment will be higher than if it only requires one or two visits. Finally, different therapists or providers charge different amounts for their services.

Other components that determine how much physical therapy costs:

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Will Medicare Help Pay For A Knee Replacement

Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B each cover a different aspect of joint replacement surgery. Medicare Part C will cover knee replacement, including both knees at once, only if your doctor considers it necessary.

Medicare Part D prescription drug program will cover the cost of painkillers, antibiotics, and anticoagulants required for the surgery.

How To Find A Physical Therapist Who Accepts Medicare

CMS Physician Fee Schedule Lookup Tool Physical Therapy 2020

Finding a local physical therapy practice that takes Medicare may be easier than you think. If youre looking for physical therapy near you, to get started. Medicare.govs Physician Compare website allows you to find providers who specialize in the services you need including physical therapy.

Enter your zip code beside the red arrow. We used our home offices zip code in Nashville, Tennessee, which is 37209. Then type physical therapy in above the yellow arrow. After that, click Search beside the orange arrow.

You confirm the service you need on the next page. If the boxes beside Physical Therapy and Select all specialties related to physical therapy’ are white, click in them to make both boxes have check marks. Then click View results.

The last step is scrolling through the list of providers and making some calls. You may have to call more than one physical therapy practice to find one that fits your medical and budget needs.

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How Much Does Medicare Pay For Physical Therapy

Almost everyone benefits from physical therapy at some point in their lives whether it is prescribed to recover from an injury, to follow a post-operative treatment, to relieve pain, or to build strength and flexibility.

Medicare benefits for physical therapy

Medicare Part B is the segment of Medicare benefits that covers outpatient care, which includes physical therapy. On the Medicare.gov website, there is a note that states, Medicare law no longer limits how much it pays for your medically necessary outpatient therapy services in one calendar year.

With your healthcare providers verification of medical necessity, Medicare Part B covers the evaluation and treatment of injuries and diseases that prohibit normal function. Physical therapy may be needed to remedy the issue, maintain the present functionality or slow the decline. As the patient, you are responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount in addition to the Medicare Part B deductible. In 2020, the Part B deductible is $198 per year under Original Medicare benefits.

Other provisions of Part B

Types of physical therapy

Medical News Today describes several different types of physical therapy across a wide spectrum of conditions:

Licensed physical therapists are trained to diagnose irregularities, re-establish and maintain the ability to move, and encourage activity and proper posture. These professionals operate in many different healthcare settings and sometimes visit people at home.

Medicare Coverage For Inpatient Physical Therapy

Medicare Part A covers medically necessary inpatient physical therapy at inpatient rehabilitation facilities sometimes called an inpatient rehab facility , acute care rehabilitation center or rehabilitation hospital.

You will still be responsible for a deductible, coinsurance and copayments.

Your Costs When Medicare Covers Physical Therapy

Days 1 to 60

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Understanding Physical Therapy Services

Physical therapy is a proven form of health care that:

Reduces chronic pain

Treats injuries and other kinds of movement problems
Helps minimize the need for surgery
Allows many patients to avoid prescription drugs

Is often tailored to patients’ individual needs, and is a collaboration between physical therapists and patients

Physical therapy addresses a wide range of physical ailments, from Achilles tendon injuries to the symptoms of vertigo. And because it serves as an alternative to surgery, physical therapy can be a lower-cost health option for those suffering from pain.

What Is Medical Necessity

Medicare Guidelines for Inpatient Rehab Coverage

All Medicare benefits are determined by medical necessity, which means that clinicians must provide care that is justifiably reasonable and necessary according to evidence-based clinical standards of care. The definition of reasonable and necessary varies based on both National Coverage Determinations and Local Coverage Determinations . Each provider is responsible for knowing the current NCDs and LCDs governing his or her practice. However, in most cases, the medical necessity of services is determined based on:

Whether the cost of treatment is reasonable considering the patients chances of reaching a desired level of relief or functional improvement.
Whether the treatment will mitigate the patients risk of suffering an even worse outcome if the current condition is left untreated.

You can download the Medicare NCD Manual here and identify the LCDs associated with your particular geographic region by using the search tool found on the right side of this page.

To learn more about providing Medicare patients with services that are not medically necessary, .

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How Do I Enroll In Medicare

If youre interested in accepting Medicare Part B patients, use the below instructions to enroll online:

Read the Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System document, which outlines the enrollment process, provides an overview of Medicares terminology, and details the information youll need to provide to enroll.

Ensure you have a National Provider Identifier , which is a user ID and password from the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System.

Complete, review, and submit an electronic enrollment application. Youll then receive a Certification Statement.

Sign and date the original Certification Statement in blue ink and mail it, along with any requested supporting documents, to the designated Medicare contractor within 15 days of your electronic submission. Your effective date of filing is the date the Medicare contractor receives the Certification Statement. Please note that a Medicare contractor will not process the online application without a signed and dated Certification Statement.

If youd rather go the paper route, to download the paper application and its instructions.

Physical Therapy Price For Back Pain

According to The American Physical Therapy Association , physical therapy for chronic or lower back pain costs $126 per session with most spending between $1,000 and $1,260 for around 8 to 10 sessions of treatment over six weeks.

Depending on whether or not you’ve had surgery on your back, you may need several months of sessions to recover fully. Physical therapists advise doing simple exercises and stretches to help decompress your spine and relieve common causes of low back pain.

How Long Does Medicare Pay For Rehab

Medicare Part A covers 100 days in a skilled nursing facility with some coinsurance costs. After day 100 of an inpatient SNF stay, you are responsible for all costs.

Medicare Part A will also cover 90 days of inpatient hospital rehab with some coinsurance costs after you meet your Part A deductible. Beginning on day 91, you will begin to tap into your lifetime reserve days.”

You may have to undergo some rehab in a hospital after a surgery, injury, stroke or other medical event. The rehab may take place in a designated section of a hospital or in a stand-alone rehabilitation facility.

Medicare Part A provides coverage for inpatient care at a hospital, which may include both the initial treatment and any ensuing rehab you receive while still admitted as an inpatient.

When you have been out of the hospital for 60 days in a row, your benefit period ends and your Part A deductible will reset the next time you are admitted.

Your rehab could potentially take place in a skilled nursing facility . When you enter a skilled nursing facility, your stay will typically be covered in full for the first 20 days of each benefit period .

Days 21 to 100 of your stay will require a coinsurance payment of $185.50 per day in 2021, and you will then be responsible for all costs beginning on day 101.

How Do Different Health Insurance Plans Cover Physical Therapy

Review Medicare Reimbursement for Physical Therapy 2020

Whether or not your health insurance plan covers physical therapy costs depends on several factors.

A major factor is the type of health plan you have. For example:

Employer-sponsored or job-based policies are more likely than most kinds of health insurance policies to pay for physical therapy.
Individual health insurance policies, especially ones that are bought from the federal or state marketplace, often cover physical therapy, too. But they don’t always cover it well.

If you’re on Medicare, you’re in luck. Medicare Part B covers many forms of physical therapy to an extent.
People on Medicaid aren’t as lucky. Federal law treats physical therapy as an “optional benefit” in terms of this program. That means states can choose to cover it or not. Some do, but many dont.

Keep reading to learn more about how these different health insurance plans do and don’t cover physical therapy.

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Who Is Eligible For Physical Therapy Under Medicare Insurance

If you have Medicare Part B your physical therapy costs will be coveredas long as Medicare finds the treatment medically necessary.

Medicare considers physical therapy treatment medically necessary if it meets the following requirements:

Therapy is needed to diagnose or treat an illness or condition.
The treatment meets accepted standards of medicine.
Your doctor confirms therapy is necessary to treat your condition.

Most people who qualify for Medicare Part B insurance do so based on their age of 65 older. But you could also qualify if you meet at least one of the following requirements:

You are disabled and have received Social Security Disability Income for two years.
You have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis , also known as Lou Gehrigs disease.

You have End-Stage Renal Disease .

Learn more about who qualifies for Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plans also cover physical therapy, since they are required to cover everything Medicare Part A and Part B cover. There may be additional benefits with some Medicare Advantage insurance plans, and your costs may differ from Original Medicare. So be sure to double-check your plans details with your insurance provider.

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B Coverage For Hip Replacement Surgery

Medicare Part B will help cover medical expenses such as doctors fees for the initial evaluation and post-op visits, surgery in an outpatient surgical facility, and outpatient physical therapy.

You may be responsible for paying the Part B deductible, which was $185 in 2019, and 20% of the Medicare-approved costs. Medicare Part B may also cover your post-operative durable medical equipment such as a cane or in-home grab bars.

Does Medicare Cover Substance Abuse Rehab

Medicare can also provide coverage for certain services related to drug or alcohol misuse.

Medicare Part B may cover outpatient treatment services as part of a partial hospitalization program , if your doctor certifies that you need at least 20 hours of therapeutic services per week. Part B may also cover outpatient substance abuse counseling sessions performed by a doctor, clinical psychologist, nurse practitioner or clinical social worker.

Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D can each provide coverage for prescription medication related to treatment for drug or alcohol dependency. Coverage will depend on your individual plan.

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