Using Private Health Insurance for Physiotherapy in London

Using private health insurance for physiotherapy in London Most UK private health insurance policies can pay for physiotherapy, but how much they pay, and how you get referred, depends on the cover options you chose. This guide explains how physiotherapy works on a policy if you live or work in London, what usually limits a claim, and how to check your own cover before you book. ## Does private health insurance cover physiotherapy? Usually yes, for an acute condition: a new injury or problem that is likely to respond to treatment, such as a sprain, a sports injury, back pain or rehabilitation after surgery. Physiotherapy for a long-term (chronic) condition, or for a problem you had before the policy started, is normally excluded or limited. The exact rules are in your policy wording. Physiotherapy normally sits under one of these parts of a policy: - Therapies or outpatient cover. Many policies list physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment together, with either a session limit or a yearly money limit. - Rehabilitation after inpatient treatment. If you have surgery under the policy, follow-up physiotherapy is often covered as part of that claim. - Direct-access musculoskeletal services. Several insurers, including Bupa and AXA Health, run self-referral routes for muscle, bone and joint problems, so you can start physiotherapy without seeing a GP first. Whether you have this depends on your plan. ## What limits a physiotherapy claim - Outpatient limits. If you picked a lower outpatient limit to save on premiums, physiotherapy can use up part or all of that allowance. - Session caps. Some plans cap therapy at a set number of sessions per condition or per policy year. - Recognised practitioners. Insurers pay physiotherapists who are HCPC-registered (Health and Care Professions Council) and recognised by the insurer. Many London clinics are, but always check before your first appointment. - Pre-authorisation. Most insurers want you to call for a claim number before treatment starts. Sessions booked without one may not be paid. - Excess. Your excess usually applies once per claim or per policy year, depending on the policy. ## How to get referred in London 1. Check whether your plan has direct access. If it does, call the insurer's musculoskeletal line. They will usually triage you by phone and book