Telehealth Physical Therapy: The Guide to Virtual PT
Key takeaways:
Telehealth physical therapy allows you to receive care online. You’ll consult with a physical therapist through video on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
Telehealth physical therapy can provide easy access to care. But it cannot replace the hands-on treatment you receive during in-person visits. So it’s not appropriate for everyone.
Many health insurance plans cover telehealth physical therapy visits. They typically cost the same or less than in-person visits.
Telehealth isn’t just for general medical visits or mental health counseling. Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapy assistants (PTAs) across the country are also using telehealth to continue their services. And so far, it seems to be working.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, people using telehealth provided by PTs and PTAs have good outcomes with little to no risk. While it may not be for everyone, physical therapists are trained to know when telehealth is appropriate. And in most cases, the tools you and your provider need for telehealth are easy to acquire.
Is online physical therapy as effective as in-person physical therapy?
It depends. Like any other form of telehealth, online physical therapy has pros and cons. The biggest benefit of telehealth physical therapy is that it is easy to access care at home. This is especially important for patients with barriers to in-person treatment, like those living in rural areas. One study found that veterans who might not otherwise seek PT or who cannot travel to a clinic may benefit from remote rehab sessions.
Search and compare options
But telehealth physical therapy has its drawbacks, too. Traditionally, physical therapy provides hands-on treatment to help people heal from injuries and conditions. Virtual PT limits the services that physical therapists can provide, and many PTs find it difficult to treat people online. They can't do complete evaluations or offer manual therapies and exercises online. As a result, virtual physical therapy is not appropriate for everyone.
Plus, internet connections can drop, making it hard for appointments to run smoothly.
Still, reviews on websites such as Athletico and Upstream Rehabilitation are positive for virtual physical therapy. Ultimately, the effectiveness of online physical therapy depends on a few factors. This includes the nature and severity of your condition or injury and your provider's ability to offer quality care online.
What services are provided by a virtual physical therapist?
Virtual physical therapy provides a wide range of services. They include:
Video conferencing to monitor exercises and observe movements
Evaluating spine clinic patients
Leading educational discussion groups
Referring patients to other specialists for additional care
Texting between patient and provider
Providing pre-recorded home exercise plan (HEP) videos
Guiding movements for hand therapy, orthopedic injuries, and loss of motion
Rehabilitating people who have had a stroke
What are the benefits of online physical therapy?
Telehealth physical therapy allows you to continue care from the comfort of your home. Telehealth sessions can also:
Complement your in-person physical therapy visits
Save drive time, wait time in a clinic, and gas
Lower your risk of exposure to COVID-19, the flu, and other contagious viruses
Provide care for people who don't live close to a clinic
Better accommodate your busy lifestyle
Read more like this
Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.
How much does telehealth physical therapy cost?
Generally, physical therapists bill with the same codes they use for in-person visits. So telehealth physical therapy typically costs the same or less than in-person care.
If you don’t have health insurance, in-person or online physical therapy can cost around $75 to $150 per session. But those fees can vary widely depending on where you live and what services you need. Some clinics may accept sliding scale payments that allow you to pay what you can for online PT.
Ask your PT for rates if you're a cash payer.
Is online physical therapy covered by insurance?
It depends on your insurance. Most insurance plans cover telehealth physical therapy at the same or lower rates than in-person sessions. Deductibles, coinsurances, or copays typically apply to online physical therapy sessions. Some plans require you to schedule an in-person visit before transitioning to telehealth services. Guidelines vary from plan to plan and state to state.
Talk to your health insurance representative before scheduling a telehealth therapy session. Make sure to ask about copays and out-of-pocket expenses.
At the start of COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services gave physical therapists the OK to bill for virtual therapy. For Medicare, providers use different codes to bill for it. And your sessions will usually cost less than in-person care. Call your Medicare representative to learn more.
What do I need for a virtual physical therapy session?
Physical therapists find creative ways to use household items for virtual sessions. So you may already have everything you need for online PT. Your therapist may ask you to substitute a can of soup for a one-pound dumbbell. Or you might use a chair or kitchen counter to help you maintain your balance while exercising. You should also wear comfortable clothing that will allow you to move freely.
As for telehealth equipment, you will need a tablet, computer, or mobile phone with a reliable internet connection. Make sure your camera and audio are on and working. Find out which digital platform –– like Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime –– your therapist uses. Some clinics, like ATI Physical Therapy, have their own online platforms. Download any software you need ahead of time to make sure your device can support the telehealth sessions.
How can I find an online therapy provider?
Start by calling your insurance company for a list of physical therapy providers they cover. Then call and ask those providers if they offer telehealth sessions. Since many physical therapy clinics have adopted telehealth, you should be able to find one easily.
If you don't have insurance, call physical therapy clinics in your area or search for one online. Then ask about out-of-pocket fees for virtual physical therapy.
The bottom line
Telehealth physical therapy allows you to receive treatment online. It's a great way to continue physical therapy from the comfort of your home.
Physical therapists cannot provide hands-on treatment techniques like manual massage therapy. So online physical therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Some patients may benefit from virtual visits that complement their standard, in-person care.
Telehealth physical therapy can be billed through your health insurance plan. You can talk to your provider to learn more about what your plan covers.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Physical Therapy Association. (n.d.). Telehealth advocacy.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2020). Medicare telemedicine health care provider fact sheet.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021). COVID-19 emergency declaration blanket waivers for health care providers.
Elor, A., et al. (2022). Physical therapist impressions of telehealth and virtual reality needs amidst a pandemic. Frontiers in Virtual Reality.
Gitlin-Nitti, Y. J., et al. (2015). A physical therapist's role in clinical video telehealth. Federal Practitioner: For the Health Care Professionals of the VA, DoD, and PHS.
OrthoBethesda. (n.d.). How much does physical therapy cost?
