Physiotherapy Health Insurance

Health Insurance for Physiotherapy 

We’re very fortunate to have the NHS in the UK because it ensures everyone is able to access the medical treatment and support they require, irrespective of their income.  

But the UK population has grown by 34% since the NHS was first launched, which amounts to an additional 17 million people accessing the same NHS services. Unsurprisingly, NHS waiting times can sometimes be painfully long, particularly for illnesses or ailments that are classed as non-urgent. 

In fact, because physiotherapy referrals are often classed as non-urgent, the waiting time for physiotherapy treatment on the NHS can sometimes be as long as 18 weeks. 

That’s why it might be worth considering a private health insurance policy that covers physiotherapy, which could reduce your waiting time from four or five months to just a matter of days. 

Compare health insurance for physiotherapy now 

Is physiotherapy health insurance worth the cost? 

The honest answer is, “It depends”.  

If your family has a history of muscular or skeletal issues and you’re worried you might develop some of those issues yourself then you might decide that a private health insurance policy that includes coverage for physiotherapy is worth the cost.  

However, even if there aren’t hereditary conditions like this in your family history this type of medical coverage could still prove useful if you ever suffer an injury or are involved in an accident and need the support of a physio to speed up your recovery. 

It’s also worth remembering that these health insurance policies don’t just cover you for physiotherapy, so if you need private medical treatment that requires something other than physio you may well be covered for that treatment too. 

Does health insurance for physiotherapy cover pre-existing conditions? 

No, generally not. 

The vast majority of private health insurance policies in the UK will specifically exclude from coverage any pre-existing conditions that were diagnosed before you took the policy out, so if you require physiotherapy for an ongoing condition that was diagnosed before you signed up for the insurance policy that policy almost certainly won’t cover that physio treatment. 

Can I choose my own physiotherapist with this insurance? 

Yes, most private health insurance policies will allow policyholders to choose their own doctors, consultants and therapists, including physiotherapists. However, with some providers, your choice must be made from their shortlist of consultants and therapists, while other providers might give you unrestricted access to choose anyone you’d like.  

How much does health insurance for physiotherapy cost? 

Private health insurance providers will take a wide range of different risk factors into account when they’re calculating the cost of this policy, so any price we might suggest wouldn’t be accurate for your own circumstances because it wouldn’t have taken your individual risk factors into account. 

The best plan is to compare real quotes from UK-based health insurance providers, in order to find out how much this policy will cost for you. You won’t be under any obligation to sign up for that policy when you get a quote, so if you decide it’s too expensive you can decide not to go with that provider. 

Does health insurance for physiotherapy cost more if I smoke? 

Yes, smoking is a major risk factor for health insurance policies, so you’ll definitely pay more for this insurance policy if you do smoke. 

We’d recommend quitting smoking, both for your own health and for your bank balance. It could be a year or more after quitting before your private health insurance premiums fall, but in the long run, it will save you money. 

Does my age affect the cost of health insurance for physiotherapy? 

Yes, your age is a risk factor when it comes to this type of insurance as well. After all, the older we get the more likely we are to require medical treatment, whether that’s physiotherapy or some other type of specialist care.  

Can I still take out physiotherapy health insurance after I’ve retired? 

Yes, it should still be possible to find a private health insurance provider who will offer you this type of insurance policy, although it’s important to bear in mind that  

What does health insurance for physiotherapy cover me against? 

Well, first and foremost it’s worth remembering that your coverage won’t be limited to just physio treatment – if you develop cancer, a skin condition or a digestive ailment this type of insurance will often cover the treatment of those conditions as well. 

If you opt for a ‘treatment only’ plan then you should be covered for things like: 

• Outpatient care with a physiotherapist or other medical professional after a condition has been diagnosed 
• Inpatient care in a hospital after a condition has been diagnosed 
• Follow-up tests or scans after a course of treatment 

By contrast, if you opt for a fully comprehensive policy then you should be covered for private testing, scans and diagnoses, in addition to the post-diagnosis treatment and care that’s included in the treatment-only plans. 

What does physiotherapy health insurance not cover? 

Our research suggests the list of policy exclusions can vary slightly from one provider to the next, but there are a number of things that most insurers will exclude. These include: 

• Pre-existing medical conditions that were diagnosed before the policy started 
• Asthma 
• Diabetes 
• Food allergies and intolerances 
• Hayfever 
• IVF and pregnancy 
• Menopause 
• Emergency medical treatment at A&E 

Can I add family members to my physiotherapist insurance policy? 

Yes, most health insurance providers will allow you to take out a joint policy that will cover you and your partner, or a family policy that can cover you, your partner and your children.  

Can I take out physiotherapy health insurance after I develop a chronic back problem? 

In theory, you can take out this type of policy at any time, but it’s important to bear in mind that if you’ve already developed a chronic back problem when you take out this insurance it’s unlikely that condition will be covered. Most health insurance providers will class it as a ‘pre-existing condition’, which means any physiotherapy you might require for that back problem probably won’t be covered.