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Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) physical therapy coverage can be a lifesaver for those in need of rehabilitation after an injury or surgery. BCBS covers physical therapy services, but the specifics can be tricky to navigate.
The good news is that BCBS typically requires a doctor's referral for physical therapy services, which is a standard practice in the medical field. This ensures that the physical therapy is medically necessary and aligned with your treatment plan.
BCBS physical therapy coverage varies by plan, but most plans cover a certain number of physical therapy sessions per year. For example, some plans cover 20 sessions per year, while others cover up to 50 sessions.
Coverage Details
Here's the coverage details section:
Many health insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, offer physical therapy insurance coverage to help patients recover from injuries and illnesses.
Blue Cross Blue Shield physical therapy insurance coverage can be found at Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers, where experienced physical therapists and chiropractors create personalized plans of care.
Protection from excessive medical outlays is one of the benefits of having physical therapy insurance coverage through Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Cost savings for in-network treatment is another advantage of using Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield for physical therapy.
Preventative treatments are also offered by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to help patients maintain their health.
Some of the major insurance carriers that Twin Boro participates with include Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, and United Health Care.
Precertification Steps & Criteria
To get precertification for physical therapy services, you'll need to follow a few steps. First, you should check your patient's eligibility and benefits through ProviderAccess or your practice management software.
This will show you their current eligibility status for therapy services. To do this, choose the appropriate service from the "Service Type" drop-down menu, enter a date of service, and click "Update Result." When the benefits display, select the Limitations tab to see the number of allowed visits and the number of remaining visits.
Once you've verified benefits, you'll need to gather the required documentation to obtain precertification. This includes a copy of the initial evaluation, current plan of care, last five treatment notes/exercise flow sheets, physician's prescription with medical diagnosis, and current reassessment with objective findings.
You'll also need to provide the number of visits requested for this certification, projected end date of therapy, and justification for continuation of therapy. It's essential to fill out the forms completely and include all required information to ensure a timely determination.
Here's a summary of the required documentation:
- Copy of initial evaluation
- Current plan of care
- Last five treatment notes/exercise flow sheets
- Physician's prescription with medical diagnosis
- Current reassessment with objective findings
- Number of visits requested for this certification
- Projected end date of therapy
- Justification for continuation of therapy
Remember to fax the precertification forms to the fax number indicated at the top of the forms. It's also crucial to check eligibility and benefits prior to providing services, as some benefit plans do not require precertification for initial visits.
Ppo Health Plans
If you choose a PPO health plan, you can visit a Blue Cross Blue Shield chiropractor in or out of network, which means you can receive quality care at a place like Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers without surprise out-of-pocket costs.
With a PPO plan, you have the flexibility to choose your provider, and you can rest assured you'll receive continuous care during your recovery.
You can access the quality care offered at BCBS-approved facilities, like Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers, without worrying about surprise out-of-pocket costs.
Houston Spine & Rehab Centers Accepts
Houston Spine & Rehab Centers Accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance, making quality care more accessible and affordable.
At Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers, comprehensive insurance coverage is available, including Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance.
Having a Blue Cross Blue Shield chiropractor by your side is essential for health and well-being, and this center has qualified professionals to provide quality care.
Twin Boro: 23 NJ Locations
Twin Boro Physical Therapy has 23 convenient locations in New Jersey, making it easy to find a location near you.
You can visit any of these locations to receive in-network physical therapy services with Horizon BCBS.
Their office number is 877-304-3000, so feel free to give them a call to discuss your specific BCBS insurance coverage or payment obligations.
Chiropractic and Other Services
As a Blue Cross Blue Shield patient, you can expect quality care and a straightforward billing process. Our team of experienced chiropractors and physical therapists will work closely with you to create a plan of care that is tailored to your unique needs.
Having chiropractic and pain management insurance coverage means you get access to the latest treatments and therapies offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, as well as preventive care.
Chiropractic Coverage
Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the most trusted names in health insurance, providing comprehensive coverage since 1929.
As a Blue Cross Blue Shield patient, you can expect quality care and a straightforward billing process.
Our team of experienced chiropractors and physical therapists work closely with you to create a plan of care tailored to your unique needs.
Having chiropractic and pain management insurance coverage also means you get access to the latest treatments and therapies offered by BCBS, as well as preventive care.
Services in a School Setting
Services in a school setting can be a bit tricky. Schools are not a permissible place of service unless the member's benefits explicitly state otherwise or there is government funding available for these services.
It's essential to note that it's not okay to bill a patient's insurance for government-funded services. You should not bill a patient with insurance differently than a patient without insurance.
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According to the Preferred Physical Therapy Contract, providers must provide medical services to each member in a non-discriminatory manner. This means that services, including billing, will be provided to each member in the same manner and in accordance with the same standards as the provider's other patients.
Providers must also make no charge for medical services that the member is not legally obligated to pay or for which no charge would be made if the member had no health insurance coverage. This is stated in the contract.
The fee schedule amounts are determined using the site-of-service differential, which includes the cost of overhead. This means that reimbursement would not be accurate for services performed in a setting where there is no overhead cost.
Authorizations and Appeals
If you're a physical therapist, you know how important it is to get authorizations and navigate appeals when needed. An appeal may be performed for medical necessity non-certification determinations.
You have two options: an expedited appeal or a standard appeal. An expedited appeal is available when there's an imminent or ongoing service requiring additional review, and can be made by phone, fax, or email with additional information to be reviewed.
To make a standard appeal, you'll need to submit a written request by mail or fax, including the patient's medical record if necessary. This should be mailed or faxed to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama at Post Office Box 362025 in Birmingham, Alabama, with a fax number of 205-220-0941.
If a non-certification decision is made without a physician conversation, you can request a peer-to-peer conversation within three business days of the decision using the phone number provided on the non-certification letter.
Cross Shield Authorizations
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield requires prior authorization requests for PT/OT services to be submitted via their online Utilization Management Request Tool: NaviNet.
This change applies to all Horizon Managed Care and Medicare Advantage plans, including members enrolled in the Horizon Medicare Advantage NJ DIRECT (PPO) plans.
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As of August 24, 2018, this new submission process took effect, replacing any previous methods.
The online tool is specifically designed for PT/OT providers to initiate prior authorization requests, but it cannot be used to create referrals for these services.
Claims processing and reimbursement for services provided are subject to member eligibility and all member and group benefits, limitations, and exclusions.
Appeals of Adverse Benefit Determinations
Appeals of Adverse Benefit Determinations can be a complex and time-consuming process, but understanding the options is key to a successful outcome.
One appeal, either expedited or standard, may be performed for medical necessity non-certification determinations.
Expedited appeals are available for situations where an imminent or ongoing service requires additional review of a non-certification determination.
To request an expedited appeal, you can contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama by telephone, fax, or email, and include any additional information that needs to be reviewed.
Notification of the results of the expedited appeal is made by telephone within 72 hours of receipt of the request, with written notification to follow.
A standard appeal, on the other hand, must be made in writing by mail or fax by the provider, and include the patient's medical record as needed for the review.
Appeal requests should be mailed or faxed to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama at the following address: Post Office Box 362025, Birmingham, Alabama 35236, or faxed to 205-220-0941.
If a non-certification decision is made without a physician conversation, a peer-to-peer conversation can be requested by the ordering or supervising physician within three business days of the decision.
The telephone number for expedited appeals is 205-220-7202, and any request beyond three business days of the decision is considered an appeal.
Limitations and Participation
Insurance plans and physical therapy coverage can be complex, but understanding the limitations and participation can help you make informed decisions about your care.
Each insurance plan has its own unique coverage and restrictions, so it's essential to review your plan before scheduling an appointment. At Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers, they recommend reviewing your Blue Cross Blue Shield plan to understand any limitations or restrictions that may impact the services they provide.
If you have a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, you can get care from a Blue Cross Blue Shield physical therapist without worrying about out-of-pocket costs. They accept a variety of plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield and have a team of experienced professionals and customer service specialists to help you navigate your coverage.
Here is a list of some of the insurance plans that Twin Boro participates in:
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
- Cigna
- Aetna
- United Health Care
Noncovered Services
Noncovered Services can be confusing, but it's essential to understand what's not covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Some services, like treatments without a physician referral, are not eligible for benefits.
Routine nursing care services, such as turning patients to prevent pressure areas and walking patients to maintain mobility, are also not covered. These services are considered standard care and don't require the professional skills of a physical therapist.
Hot packs or cold packs, unless used to treat documented paresthesia or wounds, are another example of noncovered services. This means that physical therapists can't bill for these services unless they're medically necessary.
Repetitive services, like general supervision of exercises or use of exercise equipment, are also not covered. These services don't require the skills of a physical therapist, so they're not eligible for benefits.
Group therapy, services promoting overall fitness and flexibility, and activities for diversion or motivation are also noncovered services. These services are not medically necessary and don't require the professional skills of a physical therapist.
It's also worth noting that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama doesn't provide benefits for professional services of a physical therapist rendered to a family member or someone living in the provider's household.
Participation Coverage
Participation Coverage is a crucial aspect of physical therapy insurance coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield has a network of preferred physical therapists who provide quality services in an efficient and effective manner.
These therapists are on a provisional status for two years to determine eligibility for continued participation. If you're looking for physical therapy insurance coverage, it's essential to check if your provider is part of the network.
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Preferred Physical Therapists are audited regularly to ensure they comply with program guidelines. An audit can be triggered by external referrals, anonymous tips, or internal claims and precertification data.
If an audit reveals unusual practice patterns or billing procedures, the physical therapist may be required to correct any problems and may even be removed from the network if they don't comply.
Some insurance carriers, like Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, offer benefits such as protection from excessive medical outlays, cost savings for in-network treatment, and preventative treatments.
Here's a list of some insurance carriers that participate with physical therapy providers:
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Aetna
- United Health Care
It's always a good idea to check with your insurance provider to see which physical therapy services are covered under your plan.
Limitations
Insurance plans and chiropractor coverage can be complex, so it's essential to review your coverage before scheduling an appointment. This will help you understand any limitations or restrictions that may impact the services provided.
Different insurance plans have varying coverage, which is why it's crucial to review your plan before seeking care. At Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers, they accept Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans and are happy to help you understand your coverage.
Don't let the cost of care hold you back from getting the treatment you need. They accept a variety of plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield, making it easier to receive care from a Blue Cross Blue Shield chiropractor without worrying about out-of-pocket costs.
Their team of experienced professionals and customer service specialists will work with you to ensure you receive the best care possible, without financial burden.
Specific Coverage Details
Twin Boro participates with most major insurance carriers, including Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, which serves over half of the insured in NJ.
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield offers many benefits for patients, such as protection from excessive medical outlays.
Cost savings for in-network treatment is another advantage of using Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Preventative treatments are also available through this insurance plan.
Here are some specific benefits of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is physical therapy usually covered by insurance?
Yes, most health insurance plans, including Medicare, typically cover physical therapy, but coverage varies significantly from one plan to another. Check your policy for details on what's covered and what's not.
Sources
- https://providers.bcbsal.org/portal/resources/-/resource/viewArticle/FMXC4IDC2N
- https://providers.bcbsal.org/portal/resources/-/resource/viewArticle/8IRBW18QPR
- https://www.spineandrehab.com/insurances-we-accept/blue-cross-blue-shield/
- https://www.activeprorehab.com/news/physical-therapy-insurance-coverage-horizon-blue-cross-blue-shield-what-you-need-to-know/
- https://www.southcarolinablues.com/web/public/brands/medicalpolicy/external-policies/physical-therapy/
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