Physical Therapy Payment Options & FAQs
We have answers to all your burning questions about physical therapy cost, insurance, and more.
Payment Options
Health Insurance
Body Mechanics PT is an in-network provider for most policies within Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicare, Medicaid, and WPS. As a service to you, we call and verify the coverage benefit with your specific policy prior to, or at the time of, your first visit. That way you have a clear idea of what your out-of-pocket cost may be from deductibles and copays.
After reviewing your benefits, you will be able to decide if you want us to bill your insurance company, or choose our Prompt-Pay discount options.
Self-Pay Discount
Patients with a health plan in which we are an out-of-network provider, can take advantage of our Self-Pay discount as well as additional discounts for purchasing multiple visits up front. Self-pay (outside of your insurance) is often a lower cost to you. You may also have a flex spending account that can reimburse you for self-pay charges.
Your PT will recommend a treatment plan at your first visit so you can have an idea of which quantity discount package is best for you. Please call our office to hear more details about our self-pay discount packages to help you decide.
If you are uninsured or pay for medical bills yourself, you will be provided an estimate of expected charges before you receive services. Our cash pay rates fulfill the good faith estimate requirements.
Our front desk staff is happy to help you understand your payment options better. Just give us a call!
Milwaukee Clinic – (414) 224-8219
Pewaukee Clinic – (262) 695-3057
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a physician referral or prescription for Physical Therapy?
In the State of Wisconsin, physical therapists are allowed to see patients without a physician referral; also known as “Direct Access”. Medicare insurance requires a physician referral, but you do not need to have one prior to your first visit. We simply send a summary of your initial evaluation to your primary care doctor with a recommended plan of care that they can sign and return. We can help arrange this, so no need to see your doctor first.
How much does PT cost? Is it covered by insurance?
Physical therapy is covered by insurance companies, sometimes with prior authorization (which we take care of). Studies have shown that therapy at private, free standing clinics such as ours is significantly less than hospital-based clinics. Self-pay rates (outside of insurance) are also an option and provide roughly a 50% discount and range from $160-$170 per visit depending on your selection of treatment packages.
This article from Forbes Health is an accurate account of the average costs of physical therapy.
How do I make an appointment?
New and returning patients can schedule an appointment online or by calling either of our offices.
Pewaukee (262) 695-3057
Milwaukee (414) 224-8219
How long will my appointment be?
What should I expect at my first visit?
We will start with a detailed interview of your story and your reasons for coming to therapy. With long-standing issues, we like to understand all the details of when your problem first started and solutions you may have tried to give us clues on how we might best address it.
We also complete a full-body evaluation of your posture and functional movements that relate to your issues. This full-body evaluation, keeping in mind interrelated body parts, is crucial to finding a path to progress and is often missed by other practitioners that just look at areas of pain.
Next, we use our hands to confirm and investigate if what we hear from you and what we observe in your movements is what we feel in those parts of the body. Your first visit will include manual treatment to mobilize stiff areas and activate muscles that are shut off.
We will also provide some initial home exercises to help supplement your treatment. You will be educated and trained on optimal posture and movement strategies, instructed in self-care measures, and empowered to help yourself improve.
What should I wear and/or bring to my appointment?
What type of treatment will I receive?
Are treatments private?
How do I know if my treatments are helping? How soon should I feel better?
How long after injury should I wait to come in?
If you are hurting, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment as soon as you can. Most patients wait too long. The longer you wait, the harder it is to resolve your issues and the more your lifestyle is threatened. We even see people with minor pains and discomfort to help them improve function in their daily lives and prevent bigger issues or injuries in the future.