Wrapping up PT month
As we wrap up October—a month dedicated to celebrating the field of physical therapy—I'm reflecting on the exciting conversations and developments I’ve shared with fellow physical therapists. It’s been a rewarding time to connect and discuss the future of our profession.
One of the biggest updates here in Michigan is that the Senate has recently passed a bill allowing direct access to physical therapy. This means that patients will soon be able to see a PT without needing a prescription from a physician. I believe this shift is a huge step forward in making care more accessible. Imagine not having to go through the extra step of booking a doctor's appointment, then waiting weeks or more just to get a referral, all while managing pain and discomfort. By removing these barriers, patients save time, money, and avoid unnecessary frustration—enabling them to access the relief they need more efficiently. Now we wait with the anticipation of the bill passing in the House. This brings us one step closer to improving access to pelvic health services and physical therapy.
Another hot topic in physical therapy today is the shift toward direct-pay, or cash-based, services. Many therapists, myself included, are opting out of working with insurance companies—and there are good reasons for this. Let me share a few of the benefits that are most meaningful to me, as they may also help you better understand what cash-based physical therapy can offer.
Direct pay doesn’t mean that insurance is off the table; rather, it changes the way reimbursement works. Instead of a PT handling the insurance claims directly, you receive a “superbill” that you submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. This setup not only saves therapists countless administrative hours, allowing them to focus on what they’re trained to do—care for patients—but also reduces the need for billing and administrative staff, which can be costly for independent providers.
A key benefit of cash-based PT is transparency in fees. Have you ever called a physical therapy clinic to ask how much a visit will cost? If you have, you know that getting a clear answer is rare because rates vary with each insurance provider. When each insurance company sets its own contracted rate, you might be left guessing about what your co-pay or percentage will actually cost. In a cash-based model, there is a single, clear fee. You know exactly what to expect, without any surprises.
Finally, a direct-pay approach offers greater flexibility with scheduling. Many traditional therapy clinics schedule multiple weekly appointments over several weeks, adding up in both time and expense. With direct pay, patients are often seen once a week and average around six visits in total. Without the need to justify treatment frequency to insurance companies, we can also tailor the schedule to meet your needs precisely—ensuring your time and resources are maximized.
I hope that clears up any misconceptions about out-of-network physical therapy. If you have any questions about this, or anything PT related, feel free to reach out.
