Physical Therapy

Aetna covers physical therapy when ordered by a physician or other authorized/licensed prescriber and delivered by a licensed PT (or under their direct supervision) to significantly improve, develop, or restore function lost from disease, injury, or surgery, with a reasonable expectation of measurable improvement within about one month or to establish a safe home maintenance program. PT is not medically necessary for asymptomatic persons or those without an identifiable clinical condition, for conditions that are neither improving nor regressing, for ongoing supervised therapy after therapeutic benefit or when a home exercise program is sufficient, and Aetna does not require out‑of‑network care or additional payment for specific methods (McKenzie, MAT, Postural Restoration) or for use of hand‑held tools for myofascial release.

"Physical therapy should be provided in accordance with an ongoing, written plan of care."