Wattage Physical Therapy and Why we Are a cash-based practice
By: Kelsie Mazur, DPT
Happy middle of winter everyone! This week's blog is a topic I've discussed way in the beginning of starting our weekly blogs. I am very passionate about physical therapy and helping my patients become a better, refined version of themselves. I’m also passionate about why we chose to be a cash-based business opposed to insurance based. This is a topic that can be very confusing to most, because what the heck? Us hard working people pay for health insurance, so why not use it?! But… where physical therapy is concerned, insurance is a beast. I am here to break down why seeing a cash-based physical therapist is actually MORE beneficial (yes, I am 100% confident in that statement) than using your insurance. So let’s dive in.
Insurance vs. Cash
I want to use Insurance for my Physical Therapy→ Treatment decisions are often dictated by what an insurance company deems necessary and will cover. (You read that correct. A person employed by an insurance company that DOES NOT occupy a doctoral degree in physical therapy (or a degree in healthcare at all) dictates what is right for the injured person).. ABSURD. This means that your kind, insanely smart Doctor of Physical Therapy can not do what is 100% best for your care due to insurance limitations. Simply put: it comes at the expense of treatment flexibility and overall quality, as therapists must navigate insurance guidelines rather than focusing solely on patient needs. Ever heard of the phrase: “Money talks and bullsh*t walks”, let’s talk about the money situation with using insurance. It is not 100% guaranteed that the out-of-pocket costs for patients is lower for this insurance model, as you often receive unexpected bills due to deductibles, co-pays, or denied claims. Last main point I'll make about insurance is that insurance-driven therapy often ends when the insurance company determines treatment is no longer “medically necessary,” rather than when the patient has fully recovered or achieved their goals.
I want to see a cash-based Physical Therapist→ With this approach, patients pay directly for services and have the freedom to see their physical therapist as an out-of-network provider. They can also choose to submit claims independently for potential reimbursement through their insurance providers, often receiving benefits according to their out-of-network coverage. This model enables a highly personalized treatment experience with greater flexibility, as therapists are not restricted by insurance limitations. In other words: you get better faster. Like I stated above, Traditional insurance companies dictate what treatments are “covered” and how many visits a patient can have, often leading to suboptimal recovery. With this model, your doctor of Physical Therapy can literally have you do whatever deemed necessary ot get better. For example: dry needling, working on more than one body part, having you do untraditional exercises like barbell squats, or sport-specific rehab that you cannot do in a normal insurance based clinic. Cash-based physical therapy eliminates these restrictions, allowing therapists to use the most effective techniques and treatments based on clinical judgment rather than what an insurance company will reimburse. Cash-based therapy allows patients and therapists to work together until the patient reaches their desired level of function and long-term health goals, rather than cutting treatment short. HECK YEA.
To sum all of this up, cash-based physical therapy provides patients with undeniable benefits, including personalized care, unrestricted treatment options, faster recovery, transparent pricing, and greater flexibility. While some may assume that using insurance is the more affordable option, the reality is that cash-based care often leads to better outcomes with fewer visits, ultimately saving both time and money. If you’re looking for the highest quality physical therapy experience, a cash-based model like, Wattage is the clear winner.
Did you know that we offer free 1-on-1 injury screens? Wattage Physical Therapy will take an in depth look at your ergonomics, posture, muscle tone, muscle weaknesses, and movement patterns to create a plan for YOU. If this article intrigues you, you can directly email me, Kelsie at Kelsie@wattagept.com. I would be happy to help you start the process of living a life free from pain.