Navigating the complexities of your insurance plan is no easy task. Deductibles, copays, stacks of paperwork: It can be a lot to handle. But sometimes, taking a closer look at your insurance can pay off, too–especially when it comes to physical therapy, which is generally not a one-and-done treatment.
At Comber Physical Therapy, we want to help you get the care you need (and maybe help you save a little money, too). For most people, autumn is the perfect time to review your insurance plan and create a plan to maximize your physical therapy benefits.
Maybe you’ve met your deductible–which means your provider will be covering those twice-weekly PT sessions instead of you. Or, if you’re on Medicare/Medicaid, you may want to schedule upcoming appointments in a way that won’t mean you inadvertently reach your annual cap in January.
Our team is here to help you determine the best way to utilize your health insurance. Keep reading for some simple tips–and then schedule an appointment with us to get started!
Take Stock of Your Insurance (And Your Health)
Everyone’s insurance situation is different, although one almost universal truth is that your insurance plan will reset yearly. That means your applied deductible will revert to zero, and any unused visit allowances will vanish–just to name two examples.
Furthermore, your policy may change in the new year (higher copays, fewer allocated PT visits, etc.). That’s why the last three months of the year are a great time to squeeze in as much as possible.
To do this effectively, you’ll want to review your insurance policy and any potential health concerns. Sit down with your policy information and take a close look. Consider the following questions:
- When does your insurance plan reset? Is it January 1st (the most typical) or the month you signed up?
- Have you met your deductible yet?
- What benefits does your plan offer that you haven’t used yet?
- Does your insurance impose any limitations on accessing physical therapy? For example, do you need a doctor’s referral? Does your plan limit the number of appointments you can have?
Once you’ve reviewed your insurance plan, it’s time to take stock of your health. Here are a few things you might want to consider:
- Have you been living with (and maybe trying to ignore) any persistent aches and pains, such as back pain or knee pain?
- Do you have a chronic condition that might benefit from PT? We treat more than just joint pain, including vertigo, pelvic floor dysfunction, neurological disorders, and more.
- Do you have an orthopedic surgery scheduled for next year? Prehab is a great way to prepare your body for the challenges of surgery.
- Are you an athlete who wants to minimize your injury risk? Our physical therapists can help you identify and address muscular imbalances or biomechanical issues that could cause problems down the line.
How To Make Your Insurance Benefits Work For You
Now that you’ve evaluated your benefits and health goals, it’s time to combine the two and see what you can accomplish in the next few months. Again, everyone’s situation is different–but here are a few common examples of why fall is a perfect time for physical therapy:
- Once you’ve met your deductible, physical therapy costs will be minimal–or even free. This is a great way to save money on physical therapy appointments you may have been putting off. If you’re on a plan that resets in January, make full use of those low out-of-pocket costs!
- Avoid meeting Medicare caps with proactive care. On Medicare? Then your plan has an annual cap, which means if you have a significant issue in January, you could run out of money for the rest of the year. Physical therapy is a great way to check for potential problems and address any mysterious pain before it blossoms into something worse.
- Use your insurance plan’s reset to your advantage. Physical therapy typically requires multiple sessions for you to see results. Unfortunately, insurance plans often limit your appointments, meaning many people will run out of allotted appointments before their treatment is completed. By beginning your sessions right before the turnover, you can work through the entire program without paying out-of-pocket.
Call To Start Your Physical Therapy Journey Today
Insurance can be a confusing maze of bureaucracy and paperwork, but taking an afternoon to sort out your insurance can pay dividends in the long run. Just remember to schedule an appointment with Comber Physical Therapy when you’re done. Our musculoskeletal experts will help you maximize your health and well-being as effectively as you maximize your insurance benefits.
Tags: PT, achesandpains, healthandwellness, physicaltherapy, physicaltherapist, health, Wellness, healthytips, naturalpainrelief
