Do most health insurance plans include physical therapy coverage?

If you are living with pain, you may already know that physical therapy can make a huge difference. But many people have the same question before starting treatment: does my insurance cover it?

Whether you are insured through UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, or Blue Cross Blue Shield, or covered by an employer or union plan, it can be hard to know exactly what is included. Understanding your benefits is the first step to getting the care you need and avoiding unexpected bills. In addition, physical therapy is not just limited to in-person clinic visits anymore. Digital physical therapy options, like Sword Thrive, allows you to work one-on-one with a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy from home, guided by smart technology that helps you recover faster and more comfortably.

This guide explains how major insurers handle PT coverage, what to expect if you are considering digital physical therapy, and how to find out if your plan or a family member’s plan already includes coverage.

Does UnitedHealthcare cover physical therapy?

Yes. UnitedHealthcare (UHC) typically covers outpatient physical therapy for medically necessary conditions, including injury recovery, surgery rehabilitation, and chronic pain.¹

Coverage can vary by plan, but in most cases:

• A referral or prescription may be required
• Deductibles must be met before coverage applies
• Copays or coinsurance may apply per session
• The number of visits may be limited each year

If you are unsure, review your plan documents or call the UHC member services number on your insurance card. They can confirm your PT benefits and let you know if traditional physical therapy or virtual physical therapy is included in your plan.

Does Aetna cover physical therapy?

Yes. Aetna covers physical therapy under most of its commercial and employer-sponsored plans.²

Before starting therapy, Aetna may require:

• Prior authorization for ongoing care
• In-network providers for full coverage
• Verification that treatment is medically necessary

Most Aetna members can expect between 20 and 30 covered visits per year. Aetna has many employer partners who may also offer digital MSK programs like Sword Health to help members access care faster and more consistently from home.

Does Cigna cover physical therapy?

Yes. Cigna includes physical therapy as part of its standard health plan coverage.³

Coverage depends on your plan details, but usually includes:

• Copays per session or coinsurance after meeting your deductible
• Referral requirements for specialist care
• Annual visit caps or pre-authorization after a set number of sessions

Some Cigna employer plans now include digital PT options for musculoskeletal (MSK) care, which can make therapy more accessible and affordable for members managing back, knee, or joint pain.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover physical therapy?

Yes. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) operates through many state-based companies, and most of them include outpatient physical therapy coverage.⁴

However, benefits can vary. To get the most from your plan, check with your state BCBS provider to confirm:

• Whether you need a referral or prior authorization
• If your plan includes coverage for virtual PT or telehealth rehabilitation
• How many visits are covered each year

Many BCBS plans are expanding digital care benefits, especially for employers and unions offering modern, accessible solutions for their members.

Do most major health insurance plans cover digital physical therapy?

Yes, increasingly most employer benefits packages and health plans in the United States offer some form of physical therapy coverage. Abroad in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, private health insurance plans often include physical therapy or physiotherapy coverage.

Digital physical therapy programs are increasingly being added to plans by many insurers and employers as a result of the strong clinical proof of the effectiveness of this type of evidence-based care. Clinical research shows that digital MSK therapy achieves outcomes that match or exceed in-person care while reducing unnecessary imaging, injections, and surgeries.⁵ ⁶

Many employer-sponsored and union health plans already include Sword Thrive, Sword Health’s digital physical therapy (PT) program, at no additional cost for employees and their families. That means you may already be covered, even if you are not the primary insured member. Always check your eligibility first before paying out of pocket for traditional PT.

What is Sword Thrive's at-home physical therapy?

Sword Thrive is a digital physical therapy program designed to help people recover from pain, injury, or surgery without the barriers of traditional clinic care. Instead of driving to appointments or waiting weeks for availability, you can begin therapy within days, guided by a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy and Sword’s motion-tracking technology.

• Work one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist
• Complete customized exercises from home using a motion sensor and app
• Receive real-time feedback and continuous support from your PT
• Track your progress and see measurable improvements in pain and mobility

This flexible model makes recovery more consistent, private, and convenient.

Digital physical therapy makes it easier to start and stick to a care plan

Traditional PT can be difficult to maintain. Scheduling conflicts, travel time, and missed work often cause people to stop therapy early. Sword Thrive solves these barriers by providing care that fits into your life. Members experience:

• 81% completion rates, compared to 30–50% in traditional PT⁶ ⁷
• Faster recovery and improved mobility
• Lower risk of surgery and long-term pain
• 64% reduction in depression symptoms linked to chronic pain⁸

These proven outcomes explain why so many insurers and employer plans now include digital PT as part of their benefits.

Check your PT coverage before you pay out of pocket

If you are managing pain, it is worth checking whether Sword Thrive is already included in your health coverage. You should not have to live with pain, and you might not need to pay for care if you have an existing benefits package or health plan. You might be eligible through: your own employer health plan, a spouse or family member’s plan, or a union or retiree benefit program.

Check your eligibility now to see if you or a dependent family member already have coverage. It only takes a few minutes, and you might be able to access expert care from at home right away at $0 cost to you.