Health Insurance Policies for Physiotherapy in 2025

Is Physiotherapy Covered Under Health Insurance in India? Yes. Many health plans in India cover physiotherapy under pre- and post-hospitalization expenses or as part of OPD (outpatient) coverage. However, coverage depends on the terms and conditions of the policy, often with sub-limits, waiting periods, or exclusions for pre-existing conditions. OPD coverage usually requires a rider. While purchasing, always check if physiotherapy is explicitly included in your plan and under what rules. If unclear, confirm directly with your insurer to avoid claim rejections.

Physiotherapy is often a key part of recovery, whether you're healing from surgery, an injury, or managing a long-term condition. However, regular sessions can be expensive, and not everyone knows if their health insurance will help cover the cost.

That's where the right health plan makes a big difference. This article explains how physiotherapy is covered under health insurance in India, what's included or left out, and how it works for pre-existing or new conditions. At Ditto, we help you understand your options clearly so you can choose a plan that genuinely supports your recovery.

But just because it's important doesn't mean everything is covered—let's look at what your plan might leave out.

Still unsure? Talk to our Ditto advisors today and explore smarter retirement-friendly options.

What is Not Covered by Health Insurance for Physiotherapy?

While some health insurance plans offer physiotherapy coverage, there are specific exclusions to be aware of.  Why? Because insurance covers medical necessities, not wellness extras. Typically, policies do not cover the following:

• Preventive care and  alternative therapies (like acupuncture)
• External Aids & Equipment: Expenses for wheelchairs, crutches, artificial limbs, prosthetics, and corrective devices
• Investigative/Manipulative Treatments: Diagnostic physiotherapy or spinal/musculoskeletal manipulations for posture correction, muscle stimulation, or adjustments.

Did You Know? District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs), as a part of Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme, offer free physiotherapy, speech therapy, disability screening, and assistive device support. Operated in collaboration with state governments and NGOs, these centres ensure accessible rehabilitation for persons with disabilities. As of 2024, 117 DDRCs operate across India, making essential therapy services more reachable—especially in rural and underserved areas.

How Do Health Insurance Plans Offer Physiotherapy Coverage?

There’s no IRDAI-mandated list of physiotherapy conditions or standard benefit scope—each insurer structures it differently. Health insurance typically covers physiotherapy under two main scenarios, and understanding these can help you make more informed decisions:

1. Post-Hospitalization Physiotherapy – Covered in Most Plans

If you're hospitalized for surgery or injury, most comprehensive health insurance plans like HDFC Optima Secure, Care Supreme & Aditya Birla Activ One Max  x cover physiotherapy expenses after discharge—as part of post-hospitalization care. But there are a few essential conditions for such coverage:

• Your treating doctor must medically advise you of this.
• It typically falls within a 60 to 180-day post-d discharge window.
• Coverage is up to the sum insured, though some plans may set sub-limits.

This type of physiotherapy is relatively straightforward to claim and doesn't require an additional rider or add-on. It's ideal for recovering from surgeries like joint replacements, spinal injuries, or strokes.

For instance, a Ditto customer was diagnosed with acute osteomyelitis, a severe bone infection affecting the leg—the treatment involved hospitalisation, IV antibiotics, and a minor surgical procedure to remove infected tissue. Post-discharge, the doctor recommended a structured physiotherapy program to aid recovery, focused on improving mobility, strength, and reducing joint stiffness in the affected limb.

Fortunately, the customer’s health insurance policy included 180 days of post-hospitalisation coverage. This meant that the insurer fully reimbursed all physiotherapy expenses prescribed as part of ongoing recovery.

This real-life case underscores the importance of post-hospitalisation physiotherapy coverage in reducing out-of-pocket costs and ensuring consistent care during critical recovery.

Did You Know? Based on your chosen variant (Ultimo,Vital or Smart), Bajaj Allianz Health Care Supreme offers up to 10 outpatient physiotherapy sessions per illness or injury annually, with coverage ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹50,000. A doctor's prescription (for musculoskeletal or neurological issues) is mandatory, and a 90-day waiting period applies in the first year. For example, a 30-year-old opting for the Smart variant with ₹15 lakh sum insured pays ₹21,133.8 annually and gets ₹15,000 coverage for outpatient physiotherapy.

2. Physiotherapy for Chronic Conditions – via OPD Riders

Physiotherapy for long-term or chronic conditions like back pain, arthritis, or disability management is only covered if:

• You have OPD coverage (as a rider or part of your base plan).
• The treatment is ongoing but not linked to a recent hospitalization.
• The insurer considers it medically necessary and not lifestyle-related.

However, here's the catch:

• Most OPD riders come with a waiting period of 1–2 years.
• There's usually a cap on the number of sessions or amount reimbursed annually.

Suppose your physiotherapy is linked to a pre-existing condition (PED) like an old injury or chronic back pain. In that case, it will only be covered after the PED waiting period ends (maximum 3 years as per IRDAI's latest rules).

If you have an existing condition that needs regular physio, compare policies with OPD riders and check both the PED waiting period and OPD limits. Otherwise, your sessions will likely be out-of-pocket.

Did You Know? To claim physiotherapy under health insurance in India, treatment must be provided by a qualified and recognized physiotherapist. According to the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, physiotherapists must hold a BPT or MPT degree from a recognized institution.

So what’s our take on when to opt in and skip that OPD rider? Keep reading.

Ditto’s Recommended Plans for Physiotherapy Coverage

Most comprehensive health insurance plans in India cover physiotherapy linked to hospitalisation, provided a doctor prescribes it. However, a few offer added benefits like in-home therapy or outpatient (OPD) coverage.

For a 30-year-old person residing in Delhi, premiums for a 15L Sum insured plan, including GST

Plan Name	Premiums	Rider Benefit
ICICI Elevate + Be Fit Rider (Plan C)	₹14,988 + ₹1,456 = ₹16,444	Get up to 4 outpatient consultations(OPD). Routine diagnostic and minor procedures cover Rs. 1,000. Pharmacy cover of Rs. 1,000. 6 sessions for physiotherapy, e-counseling, diet, and nutrition e-consultation each, provided through an Empaneled Health Service Provider. All these services are applicable after a standard 30 day waiting period.
Star Outpatient Care (Standalone OPD Plan)	Flat premiums based on sum insured, no impact of age For 1 person, premiums range from ₹4,803 to ₹14,827 (incl. tax) across Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. Premium chart attached here.	Any individual or family (up to 6 members) can avail, Sum Insured options - Rs. 25,000/50,000/75,000/1,00,000 Expenses incurred towards Diagnostics, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy at Network Facility are covered 3 plan options - Silver, Gold & Platinum, under which, the Pre-Existing Diseases are covered after 36, 24 and 12 months respectively.

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Ditto’s Take on Physiotherapy Coverage in Health Insurance 

Physiotherapy is essential to recovery, but that does not mean every policy add-on is worth the cost. A pricey OPD rider may not offer real value if you only need 2–3 sessions a year (₹1,000 each). Most insurers also require a doctor’s prescription, and standalone physiotherapy, especially for chronic conditions, is rarely covered without hospitalisation.

At Ditto, we recommend evaluating your actual needs. Post-hospitalisation coverage often suffices for recovery after surgery or injury. But if you need ongoing support for conditions like arthritis or back pain, a well-structured OPD rider could be helpful—ensure it has reasonable waiting periods and clear sub-limits.

While purchasing any policy, verify if the physiotherapy is covered under OPD or post-hospitalisation, check for sub-limits, and disclose all pre-existing conditions. Still confused? Book a free call with Ditto, and let our advisors help you choose wisely.

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