Physiotherapy, or more popularly known as physical therapy, has evolved into an integral part of healthcare in India due to the higher level of consciousness in human society toward a holistic approach to health and wellness. But the one question most in India would ask has to be: Is Physiotherapy covered in Health Insurance?
Understanding Health Insurance Coverage in India
Normally, all the health insurance policies in India cover all the expenses pertaining to hospitalization, namely in-patient treatment, surgical procedures, room rent, expenses before and after hospitalization. However, in the case of outpatient facilities related to physiotherapy, things vary from company to company. One must go through the details of the policy as some health insurance plans might include physiotherapy under certain conditions whereas others may not provide any facility.
Is physiotherapy covered in health insurance?
In general, physiotherapy would be covered under your health insurance if it forms a part of post-hospitalization care. Suppose somebody undergoes surgery or has been admitted to the hospital due to an injury; the doctor prescribes physiotherapy sessions to aid in recovery. Such cases usually fall under post-hospitalization expenses and hence would be covered under one’s health insurance policy. Insurers allow for a grace period, which ranges from 30 to 90 days from discharge, wherein post-hospitalization treatments, including physiotherapy, will be covered.
Also, most health insurance policy covers day-care treatments. Day-care treatments refer to those procedures or surgeries that do not require an overnight stay at a hospital. Some insurance companies consider physiotherapy as falling under this category, depending on the nature of the treatment.
Exclusions and Limitations
Although a few health insurance policies cover physiotherapy, there are usually exclusions and limitations therein. For instance, in cases where physiotherapy is required for a pre-existing condition, it will not be available immediately since the policy has a waiting period for pre-existing diseases. In cases where physiotherapy is solely required for wellness or preventive purposes and not as an extension of post-hospitalization care, it is unlikely to be covered under most standard health insurance policies in India.
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What Should Policyholders Do?
It would always be worth going through the policy document or discussing with an insurance adviser about inclusions and exclusions before buying any health insurance policy. If physiotherapy is an integral part of your health routine, you need to look for explicit policies that provide outpatient treatment or day-care procedures. You may also consider top-up or rider plans offering extended cover for therapies such as physiotherapy therapy.
Conclusion
In India, with the increasing requirement for physiotherapy, one must know whether his insurance policy covers it or does not cover it. Though most of them cover it under post-hospitalization care, as an outpatient, hardly does any policy cover it. A policyholder is expected to go through his or her insurance plan very carefully and selects such policies that would serve the healthcare necessities of the individual. With increased awareness of the need for holistic health cover in 2024, it is envisaged that insurance providers will further develop their products to provide more holistic treatments, including physiotherapy.