Friday, August 27, 2010

How to Find Out If Your Insurance Covers Physical Therapy

How to Find Out If Your Insurance Covers Physical Therapy



Physical therapy procedures help your recovery from surgical procedures. Physical therapy is aimed at providing pain relief through stretching and exercise to strengthen weak or damaged areas of the body. Because of it, some insurance agencies are now seeing the lower overall treatment costs and long term benefits of therapy. Follow these steps to find out how much your insurance will cover of your proposed treatment plan before beginning therapy.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet access







Review Your Insurance Policy




1


Go to the Web site of your insurance carrier to see what treatment options may be covered. Find out if alternative methods of treatments are included in your specific policy.





2


Call a member services representative if you are unable to find information about physical therapy coverage. You may find the customer service number on the back of your health card.





3


Visit your human resource department to find out the specifics about your insurance coverage options. You may need to pay a higher premium or switch insurance plans to find one that covers associated therapy costs.





4


Compare a variety of plans to find one that will cover physical therapy at eHealthInsurance.com (see Resources below).



Ask Your Therapist About Their Rates




1


Talk to your doctor to see if your insurance plan covers their procedures.





2


Arrange to speak to the billing department to find out if your plan covers supplemental treatments or suggested medical equipment.





3


Request a schedule of rates from your doctor to prepare financially for a full course of treatment. An 8-session treatment plan will be far more expensive than 2 or 3 individual sessions; but it may save you money if you need extensive therapy.



Know What Physical Therapy Entails




1


Learn simple physical therapy exercises you can perform at home. These exercises may shorten your therapy program and save some costs.





2


Expect massage, stretching and strengthening to be part of your regimen. Physical therapy is a process--not a quick fix--in nearly all cases.





3


Commit to changing unhealthy habits to increase the effectiveness of physical therapy. Quitting smoking, eating healthy foods and getting the proper amount of rest are all key components of a rehabilitation program.








Tips & Warnings










Consult your medical doctor before beginning physical therapy.








If you experience increased pain or additional limitation of movement, alert your physical therapist immediately.








Don't attempt to treat medical emergencies, like severe pain or elevated blood pressure, with physical therapy. Seek treatment at a proper medical facility.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2033116_out-insurance-covers.html

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