How Much Does Physical Therapy Cost?

how much does physical therapy cost

If you’ve been injured recently you probably are wondering how much does physical therapy cost.

This is especially true if you have a script for physical therapy that says three times a week for six weeks!

Your Physical Therapy bill can add up quickly depending on the physical therapy session costs and other factors such as insurance, copays, and deductibles.  

How Much Does Physical Therapy Cost?

The cost of physical therapy varies depending on where you are in the country and what kind of injury you have.

Some people may only need one or two visits with a Physical Therapist.  While other people may need 12 or more visits after a surgical procedure like a rotator cuff repair.

Average Cost of Physical Therapy Session

The average cost of Physical Therapy is about $100 per session or $1,000 for a 10 visit episode.  

You may not pay anything depending on your insurance. Call the number on your insurance card and ask what the deductible is for a Physical Therapist and how much you still need to pay towards your deductible.

Average Cost of Physical Therapy With Insurance

If you see the actual charges the Physical Therapy clinic sends to the insurance company, it can seem really high.  It’s not uncommon for a PT clinic to ‘charge’ $200 to $400+ per session to the insurance company.

But like most health services, the insurance company is in control and decides to pay only a percentage of the bill or a fixed rate.  At the end of the day, the average physical therapy session will cost around $80 to $100.

If you have not paid anything on your deductible yet, you may be charged upwards of $100 per visit.   

If your deductible has been met, you may not have to pay anything.  Some insurance companies will require a copay for Physical Therapy ranging from $10 to $50 each session.

Average Cost of Physical Therapy Without Insurance

You may have the opportunity to work with a Physical Therapist who does not accept insurance and charges on a cash basis.  These therapists are referred to as ‘self-pay PT’ or ‘cash based Physical Therapists’.

So how much does a physical therapy session cost?

For a cash based PT, an average Physical Therapy session cost will range from $80 to $150 or more. This will depend on your area and the specialty of the therapist.  

It’s not uncommon for a highly skilled Physical Therapist to charge $200 or more for a session. Usually their reputation precedes them as one of the best in their specialty.

FAQ About Physical Therapy Costs

How much does an hour of physical therapy cost?

If you’re paying a cash-based PT out of pocket, a one hour session of physical therapy will cost anywhere from $80 to $150 or more.

How much does dry needling physical therapy cost?

Dry needling is sometimes considered an out of pocket expense depending on your insurance. If you’re PT offers dry needling as a separate service, you can expect to pay $40 or more for the dry needling session. Some therapists charge a flat rate for treatment and dry needling, so you may pay the same average cost of physical therapy at $100 to $150 per session.

What is the cost of pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy specialists often set aside 60 to 90 minutes per treatment session and charge $150 to $300 per session depending on the area.

How much does physical therapy cost for back pain?

The average physical therapy session cost can range from $80 to $150 or more. If you are paying out of pocket your physical therapy visits may average $100 each session.  You may receive 6 to 8 physical therapy treatments for back pain, costing $600 or more to resolve your back pain. Not bad compared to $26,927 the average cost for spinal fusion surgery in Chicago.

How much does physical therapy cost for knee pain?

If you are paying out of pocket your physical therapy visits may average $100 each session.  You may receive 6 to 8 physical therapy treatments for knee pain, costing you about $600 or more without insurance.  If you have insurance, you may spend anywhere from $0 to $20 per visit for copays.

How much does physical therapy cost for rotator cuff surgery?

After a rotator cuff surgery, your shoulder doctor may prescribe Physical Therapy for 6 weeks or more.  Your entire episode of care may include 12 to 16 visits. If you are paying the therapist directly without insurance, you may pay $100 a visit or $1,600 or more.  

If you are paying with insurance, your cost may be $0 to $20+ for each copay. Remember you may have a co-insurance as well, so call your insurance company to find out how much it will cost.

Where Can I find a Low Cost Physical Therapy Near Me

When it comes to your health and ability to move, you should be more concerned with the quality of care you receive.  Instead of looking for a low cost physical therapy options, call clinics and ask questions about the quality of their work.

  • Do the Physical Therapists see the patients one on one?
  • Do I work directly with the PT or will there be a tech working with me?
  • How long are therapy sessions?
  • Do you accept my insurance? How much will each session cost me?
  • Do you offer a cash pay rate?

Tim Fraticelli, DPT Physical Therapist

Tim Fraticelli is a Physical Therapist, Certified Financial Planner™ and founder of PTProgress.com. He loves to teach PTs and OTs ways to save time and money in and out of the clinic, especially when it comes to documentation or continuing education. Follow him on YouTube for weekly videos on ways to improve your financial health.