Many people don’t realise that their private health insurance may cover physiotherapy—both in-clinic and at home. In practice, this means you can access personalised treatments without waiting lists and, in many cases, at a very low cost or even free of charge, depending on your policy’s options such as copayments, reimbursement, or free choice of provider.

Understanding how each option works will help you make the most of your policy and access the treatment you truly need, exactly when you need it.

Let’s break it down:

What’s the difference?

• A pproved provider network (with or without copay): You can only visit the centres and professionals that your insurance company has an agreement with. Depending on your plan, the sessions may be fully covered, or—if you have a copay—you pay a small fee per session while the insurer covers the rest.
• Reimbursement: This option allows you to see any physiotherapist, even outside the insurer’s network. You pay upfront, and the insurer reimburses a percentage of the cost (typically 50% to 90%, depending on the policy).

Free Choice of Provider and Reimbursement Plans: Visit any physiotherapist (Including home visits)

Reimbursement-based policies offer the greatest flexibility. You choose the clinic or physiotherapist you want; you pay for the session, and the insurer later refunds a percentage of the amount. This system allows you to access specialised treatments, stay with your usual physiotherapist, or receive therapy at home if needed.

Beyond giving you freedom of choice, reimbursement can also help you access specific techniques or additional sessions when the approved network doesn’t fully cover your needs. It’s especially valuable for people who require ongoing care or prefer a more personalised approach.

Example:
If a session costs €65 and your policy reimburses 80%, the insurer would return €52, so your actual out-of-pocket cost would be just €13.

The first is a medical prescription, which most policies require.
If you’re using the reimbursement system, you must also submit a detailed invoice including the patient’s information, the clinic’s tax details, date of service, type of treatment and total cost.

It’s also essential to review the policy limits and conditions: maximum number of sessions, possible exclusions (such as advanced techniques or sports-specific treatments) and waiting periods, which are generally short for physiotherapy. Some insurers may also request prior authorisation, especially for long-term treatment plans.

Understanding how your insurance works can help you access high-quality private physiotherapy—either in our clinic or at home—paying very little or even nothing. Reimbursement and free choice of provider are powerful tools that allow for fast, personalised and fully tailored treatment.

If you’re unsure whether your plan covers physiotherapy, get in touch and we’ll help you check it.