Posted on: Apr 3, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Is Physiotherapy Covered Under Health Insurance?

Physiotherapy covered by health insurance

When you have a medical condition, your doctor will recommend a course of therapy designed to help you heal properly and adjust to living with that condition. It can be advised that you severely reduce your sugar intake if you have diabetes. Similarly, physiotherapy is typically an excellent treatment option if you suffer significant injuries from an accident that affect your motor abilities.

What is physiotherapy?

It's critical to comprehend what physiotherapy is before answering the question, "Is physiotherapy covered by health insurance?"

Physiotherapy is a medical speciality that addresses the interference and discomfort produced by your body's normal range of motion. For instance, if your right hand breaks, the physician will use a plaster of Paris cast. This cast aids in both the healing of your hand and the resetting of your fractured bone. However, you could find it challenging to do your regular hand movements as before because of the limitations on your hand's range of motion. It would be advised to use physiotherapy to address this problem. Physiotherapy can be expensive at times because of the nature of the treatment and the variety of options.

This is but one instance of how you can heal with physiotherapy. In the rapidly developing discipline of physiotherapy, patients can expect to receive cutting-edge therapies to expedite their recovery and alleviate their discomfort.

What are the types of physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy comes in a variety of forms that are used to address various medical conditions. These are the following:

• Neurological physiotherapy

Numerous neurological disorders, including stroke, spinal cord injuries, and motor degenerative diseases, might impair your body's ability to move at all. Parkinson's disease is a common example, which can significantly impair a patient's ability to move. Its symptoms include abrupt tremors, visible limb shaking, and speech impediment. 

• Orthopaedic physiotherapy

Bone, ligament, and joint injuries are rather common. Athletes who suffer from injuries like anterior cruciate ligament tears are limited in their movements because they cannot heal if they do not get enough rest. Orthopaedic physical therapy speeds up healing and ensures full recovery without recurring the issue.

• Paediatric physiotherapy

This kind of physical therapy addresses pediatric health issues. Congenital disabilities, difficulties encountered after delivery, or any other issues could prevent the child from leading a typical life. This kind of physical therapy attempts to address the underlying source of the problem and assist the child in resolving it.

• Geriatric physiotherapy

Your body experiences significant changes as you age. You can experience daily problems due to these changes and long-term difficulties. Pain in the muscles and joints or difficulty performing routine actions are frequent issues associated with ageing. Your body weakens, and your daily activities become restricted as muscle is lost. Geriatric physical therapy aids in the resolution of these issues. 

Health Insurance for Physiotherapy in India

There are two situations in which physiotherapy is required: either following hospitalisation or not. Post-hospitalisation treatment is one benefit of having physiotherapy health insurance. The cost of physical therapy will be reimbursed if your policy includes post-hospitalisation coverage and your doctor has prescribed it after being admitted to the hospital.

Why should you avail yourself of health insurance plans for physiotherapy in India?

• Cost control: Physiotherapy is a medical intervention that is both successful and costly. Additionally, the pilling fees would negatively impact your savings regardless of whether you considered physiotherapy a stand-alone treatment or after surgery. With coverage offered by the top physiotherapy insurance companies, you may fill the funding gap without putting too much strain on your finances.

• Extra coverage inclusions: You don't rely simply on this one benefit when you use a physiotherapy health insurance policy for physical therapy. Benefits from any of the top health insurance plans include:

1. No disease-wise sub-limits

2. There is a low to no waiting period

3. No copayment

4. No-Claim Bonus

5. Tax benefits under Section 80D

6. Domiciliary coverage

7. Unlimited restoration benefits

8. Free annual health check-ups, etc.

9. Daycare coverage

10. Adequate pre and post-hospitalization coverage

11. No room rent restrictions

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance Plans for Physiotherapy in India?

• Your decision cannot be made exclusively based on physiotherapy coverage: You CANNOT choose a health insurance plan based purely on its physiotherapy coverage. This medical component can be used several times, but to protect your funds in the event of any medical mishap, you need a policy and an insurer you can rely on.

• Be mindful of the waiting period: Comprehensive coverage frequently includes benefits like physiotherapy. However, there is always a waiting period because of particular terms and benefits. Therefore, to avoid having your claim denied because you raised it during the non-coverage period, find out from your advisor or insurer about the precise waiting period.

• Look for any sub-limits: Similar to the waiting time, there are frequently sub-limits associated with particular special benefits. Keep track of any such dollar or session caps on your health insurance policy related to physical therapy.

• Check for network restrictions and specifications: Insurers may impose limitations on the networks from which you can obtain specific medical services when using a physiotherapy health insurance policy. If you go to non-partner hospitals or institutions, you risk losing your coverage entirely or losing the ability to settle claims cashless.

Conclusion

Physiotherapy is a relatively new speciality in the medical field. Using the benefit would guarantee a higher standard of living, increased mobility, better health, etc. However, for physiotherapy to be effective, several sessions are required. Additionally, these sessions demand a significant financial outlay, covered by the best health insurance for physio in India.

Disclaimer The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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