More About Physical Therapy, PAD, and Medicare/Insurance Reimbursement

The winter 2005 issue of Keeping in Circulation included an article entitled "Peripheral Arterial Disease: Benefits of Physical Therapy," written by Janis Stradley, DPT. After publication of the article, we received questions about Medicare and other insurance coverage for physical therapy for PAD.

We corresponded with Dr. Stradley, who wants to offer hope and encouragement for people to seek physical therapy for PAD. According to Dr. Stradley, "Physical therapy IS reimbursable by Medicare and the other PPOs that we normally see in our clinic (Blue Shield, Blue Cross, Health Net, etc.). These patients have many functional impairments, not just walking. Also, safety and balance are issues for these patients, as PAD patients have double the rate of falling as compared to agematched controls (research from Andrew Gardner, PhD). I have not had any difficulty getting reimbursed from either Medicare or private payers." Dr. Stradley also noted that the diagnosis on the prescription for physical therapy should be claudication.

Since insurance policies vary, check with your health insurance provider to verify coverage of this beneficial treatment.