Medicare coverage: rehab and physical therapy

Yes, Original Medicare helps cover some services for inpatient rehab and physical therapy. Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover any medically necessary care you get and Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover doctors’ services.

To be eligible, your doctor must certify that you have a medical condition that needs intensive rehabilitation. You must also require continued medical supervision and coordinated care from your doctors and therapists.

Your 2024 costs for each benefit period are:

• Days 1–60: $1,634 deductible*
• Days 61–90: $408 coinsurance each day
• Days 91 and beyond: $816 coinsurance per each “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 for each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime)
• Each day after the lifetime reserve days: all costs

*You don’t have to pay a deductible for care in an inpatient rehabilitation facility if you already paid a deductible for care in a prior hospitalization in the same benefit period.

What Original Medicare helps cover:

• Rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology
• A semi-private room
• Meals
• Nursing services
• Drugs
• Other hospital services and supplies

Yes, Part B (Medical Insurance) helps pay for medically necessary outpatient physical therapy.

Your costs:

• 20% of the Medicare-approved amount along with the Part B deductible of $240 in 2024

The amount you pay can depend on things like any other insurance you may have and the type of facility you use. Your doctor may also recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover or for you to get services more often than Medicare covers. Be sure to ask questions before your therapy starts so you’re clear on how much you will pay.

For information on prescriptions, home health services and more, check out what Medicare does and doesn’t cover.