DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you explain how Medicare covers physical therapy services?

I’m a new beneficiary and would like to get some treatments for my back.

— Need Help

DEAR NEED: Medicare covers a variety of outpatient therapy services including physical, occupational and speech therapy, if you meet their coverage criteria. Here’s how it works.

MEDICARE COVERAGE

To get Medicare (Part B) to help cover your physical therapy, it must be considered medically reasonable and necessary, and it will need to be ordered by your doctor.

You can get these services as an outpatient at a number of places like a doctor’s or therapist’s office, rehabilitation facility, medical clinic or hospital outpatient department.

You also need to know that Medicare limits how much it pays for outpatient therapy services in one calendar year. These limits are called “therapy cap limits.” In 2017 Medicare will cover up to $1,980 for physical and speech therapy combined, and another $1,980 for occupational therapy.

But be aware that just like with other Medicare covered services, Medicare will pay 80 percent (up to $1,584) of your therapy costs, after you meet your $183 Part B deductible. You or your Medicare supplemental plan (if you have one) will be responsible for the remaining 20 percent until the cap limits are reached. After that you’ll have to pay the full cost for the services.

EXTRA THERAPY

If, however, you reach your cap limits and your doctor or therapist recommends that you continue with the treatment, you can ask your therapist for an exception so that Medicare will continue to pay for your therapy. The therapist must provide documentation that these services are medically necessary for you to continue. If Medicare denies the claim, you can appeal through the Medicare appeals process.

If approved, Medicare has an exception threshold of $3,700 for physical and speech therapy combined, and $3,700 for occupational therapy. If your therapy cost exceeds these thresholds, Medicare will audit your case, which could lead to denial of further services.

NO COVERAGE

If you choose to get physical therapy on your own that’s not considered medically necessary or prescribed by your doctor, your therapist is required to give you a written document called an “Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage” (ABN). Medicare Part B will not pay for these services, but the ABN lets you decide whether to get them.

THERAPY AT HOME

You should also know that Medicare covers home therapy services if you are homebound and eligible to receive home health care from a Medicare-approved home health care agency. To learn more about this option, see the “Medicare and Home Health Care” online booklet.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or PPO), these plans must cover everything that’s included in original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. But sometimes these plans cover more, with extra services or an expanded amount of coverage. To find out whether your plan provides extra coverage or requires different copayments for physical therapy, you’ll need to contact the plan directly.

MORE INFO

If you have other questions, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 or contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free Medicare counseling in person or over the phone. To find a local SHIP counselor, click here or call the elder-care locator at 800-677-1116.

Jim Miller is a contributor to NBC-TV’s “Today” program and author of “The Savvy Senior.” Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070; or visit savvysenior.org.