PT for Pain: Make the Most of Your Deductible

The end of the year often means the resetting of health insurance deductibles (the amount you pay for health care costs before your insurance plan starts to pay). If you’re like me and have met your deductible for the year, now might be the time to address issues that have been plaguing you over the past year and beyond.

Work on Next Year’s Goals

For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the late-fall and winter can be a time when physical activity declines and people’s health and fitness goals are put on the backburner. Instead of “living with pain” until the spring weather returns in the new year, now can be a great time to address issues you may be  experiencing, especially if you have a future race or event you are hoping to participate in. For those who may make a New Years’ Resolution for the following year, this can also be an optimal time to address any pain and assess body mechanics before hitting the gym, starting a new exercise routine or taking on a new fitness goal.

Reduce Future Healthcare Costs

If you have an ache or pain that has been bugging you for a while, delaying physical therapy may increase your own healthcare costs down the road. There are many research articles stating how early physical therapy may decrease overall healthcare costs without compromising outcomes. In many cases, physical therapy is a final treatment option for pain. After seeing a doctor or two, undergoing testing and imaging, and perhaps filling a prescription(s) for pain medication, people are then finally referred to physical therapy. Instead of physical therapy being the last treatment option, you can make physical therapy the first line of defense for your pain. Ultimately, this may save you time and money, forgoing extensive testing, imaging and sometimes even surgery.

A Prescription is No Longer Required

People are often unaware that all states have some form of Direct Access. This means you may have direct access to physical therapy and can start treatment within 24-48 hours without a prescription or doctor’s referral.

An Athletico team member will verify your coverage with your insurance company before your treatment begins, so you can focus on getting the treatment you need. We encourage you to call your insurance company to determine the exact benefits your plan provides. Every insurance plan is different and you still may be responsible for certain costs.

If you have a pain or injury you want to address, don’t delay treatment as your condition could potentially worsen. Our team of specialists want you to feel better as soon as possible. If you feel physical therapy may benefit your current situation or healthcare goals, reach out to your local Athletico Physical Therapy clinic today and get started with a free assessment! Free assessments are available in-clinic and virtually through our telehealth platform.

Request a Free Assessment

*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.