Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy?

Table of Contents

• What Is Physical Therapy?
• Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy?
• How Much Does Medicare Pay for Physical Therapy?
• How Many Physical Therapy Sessions Does Medicare Cover?
• Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy at Home?
• Tips to Make the Most of Your Physical Therapy Benefits
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy (PT) is a health care service that helps people regain strength, improve mobility, and restore physical function while also helping to reduce pain. Treatments often include guided exercises, hands-on therapy, movement training, and education to help your body heal and function more efficiently.1 Physical therapy can be used to support recovery after an injury, illness, or surgery, or to address ongoing mobility or movement challenges.¹

A licensed physical therapist will evaluate how your body moves and develop a treatment plan based on your condition, lifestyle, and goals. Rather than just treating symptoms, physical therapy focuses on evaluating movement and function to address pain or limitations and support long-term improvement, helping you return to daily activities safely and prevent future injuries.

Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy?

Medicare covers medically necessary physical therapy in multiple care settings when services are provided by Medicare-approved providers. Which part of Medicare pays for your care depends on where you receive services.

• Medicare Part A (Inpatient and Skilled Nursing Facility Care): Covers medically necessary physical therapy received in a hospital or inpatient rehabilitation facility (also known as a “rehab” facility, IRF, acute care rehabilitation center, or rehabilitation hospital). In addition, it also covers physical therapy provided through home health care for qualifying individuals²

Medicare Part B (Outpatient): Covers outpatient physical therapy when a doctor or other eligible provider determines it’s medically necessary for your care.³Outpatient therapy includes:⁴

• Care received at a physical therapist or doctor’s office
• At-home physical therapy that is not already covered under Part A⁷

How Much Does Medicare Pay for Physical Therapy?

How much Medicare pays for physical therapy primarily depends on where you receive care. If you receive physical therapy as an inpatient, Medicare covers physical therapy under Part A. If you receive medically necessary physical therapy as an outpatient, Medicare covers it under Part B. Your out-of-pocket costs will vary based on Medicare coinsurance and whether you’ve met Medicare deductibles.

Medicare Part A

Under Medicare Part A, physical therapy is generally covered as part of a broader set of inpatient services rather than billed separately. If you receive inpatient physical therapy during the first 60 days of a hospital stay or the first 20 days of a skilled nursing facility stay, Medicare would cover it at 100% after you pay the Part A deductible for that benefit period ($1,736 in 2026).² If an inpatient hospital stay is greater than 60 days or a skilled nursing facility stay exceeds 20 days, Medicare copayments start to apply.

After discharge, if you need physical therapy at home and meet Medicare’s home health care eligibility requirements, Medicare Part A covers those services at 100% when provided by a Medicare‑certified home health agency.

Medicare Part B

Generally, under Part B, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount for outpatient physical therapy after you meet the Medicare part B deductible ($283 in 2026). You are responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance. There is no limit on how much Medicare pays for care that is deemed medically necessary by your doctor.³

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare that are provided by private insurers. These plans are required to provide the same coverage as Part A and Part B, including covering physical therapy services that are medically necessary. However, the cost sharing and out-of-pocket costs for physical therapy can vary by the individual plan. Copayments are common for outpatient physical therapy visits. Plans often require you to use innetwork physical therapists and may require prior authorization before physical therapy is covered. Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Medicare supplement insurance plans work alongside Original Medicare to help cover out‑of‑pocket costs after Original Medicare pays its share. For outpatient physical therapy covered by Part B, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount after you meet the Part B deductible.

Many Medicare supplement plans are designed to cover some or all of the 20% coinsurance not paid by Original Medicare Part B, subject to plan benefits and coverage rules. View our guide for how to choose a Medicare supplement plan to better understand coverage under these plans.

How Many Physical Therapy Sessions Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare Part B coverage for physical therapy is based on whether your care is medically necessary rather than how many sessions you receive.³

Each year, Medicare tracks the total cost of your outpatient physical therapy services. Once your costs exceed a certain threshold ($2,480 in 2026), your physical therapist or provider must document that continued care is still medically necessary.⁴ This includes showing that your therapy requires skilled care and is helping to maintain, improve, or slow the decline of your condition.

As long as these requirements are met, Medicare can continue covering physical therapy even beyond the threshold amount. If Medicare denies continued coverage of your physical therapy, you can file an appeal.

Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy at Home?

Medicare covers at-home physical therapy under both Medicare Part A and Part B. The part of Medicare that covers physical therapy depends on the context surrounding your care.

Medicare Part A typically covers home health physical therapy if you are considered “homebound” by Medicare and services are provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency. You’re considered homebound if, because of an illness or injury, leaving your home isn’t recommended or requires significant effort or assistance (e.g., you need help from another person or need a walker, wheelchair or cane)⁶ Home health care services provided under Part A, including physical therapy, is covered at 100% by Medicare.

Medicare Part B, on the other hand, primarily covers physical therapy that is considered outpatient care. Part B can cover medically necessary physical therapy provided in the home when you do not qualify for Part A home health care benefits.⁷ Under Part B, physical therapy is subject to standard outpatient cost-sharing, including the annual Part B deductible and coinsurance.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Physical Therapy Benefits

• Confirm that the therapist or clinic accepts Medicare.
• If you have Original Medicare or Medicare supplement insurance, Medicare’s provider lookup tool can help you find providers in your area who accept Medicare.
• If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan provider’s network requirements, since coverage is typically limited to in‑network providers and out‑of‑network care may cost more or not be covered.
• Bring required documentation to your first visit, including your Medicare card, insurance card (if you have a Medicare Advantage or Medicare supplement plan).
• Review your Medicare deductibles and coinsurance before starting therapy.
• If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan’s copays, coinsurance, and network rules.
• If you have Medicare supplement insurance, see what it provides for Part B cost sharing.
• Ask for a clear home exercise plan and follow it between visits to support progress and avoid unnecessary appointments.
• Report progress and setback promptly so your physical therapist and provider can adjust your care plan when necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Does Medicare pay for physical therapy?

Yes, Medicare covers physical therapy in outpatient, inpatient, skilled nursing, and home health settings when services are medically necessary and provided by Medicare-approved clinicians.

Q.2 How much does Medicare pay for physical therapy per visit?

Once the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) has been met, Medicare will cover 80% of outpatient physical therapy expenses. You are responsible for the remaining 20%.

Q.3 Does Medicare cover physical therapy for arthritis?

Yes, Original Medicare Part B may cover physical therapy for arthritis if it is considered medically necessary and provided by a healthcare provider who accepts Medicare. While arthritis cannot be cured, physical therapy is commonly recommended to help manage pain, improve mobility, and maintain function for conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sources

¹ National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Web page: In Brief: Physical Therapy. Retrieved Jan. 29, 2026, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561514/.

² Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Web page: Inpatient rehabilitation care. Retrieved Jan. 29, 2026, from www.medicare.gov/coverage/inpatient-rehabilitation-care.

³ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Web page: Physical therapy services. Retrieved Jan. 29, 2026, from www.medicare.gov/coverage/physical-therapy-services.

⁴ Medicare Interactive. Web page: Outpatient therapy costs. Retrieved Jan. 29, 2026, from www.medicareinteractive.org/understanding-medicare/medicare-covered-services/rehabilitation-therapy-services/outpatient-therapy-costs.

⁵ Medicare.gov. Web page: Skilled Nursing Facility Care. Retrieved Feb. 19, 2026, from www.medicare.gov/coverage/skilled-nursing-facility-care.

⁶ Medicare.gov. Web page: Home health services. Retrieved Feb. 18, 2026, from www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services.

⁷ Center for Medicare Advocacy. Web Page: Is Mobile Outpatient Therapy an Alternative to Home Health Care? Retrieved Mar. 25, 2026, from https://medicareadvocacy.org/mobile-outpatient-therapy/.

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