A: Yes, physical therapists can provide therapy services in the home setting. However, there are different ways this service may be rendered. There are two main ways physical therapy is provided in the home; In-home outpatient, and Home Health.

Mobile Rehab provides in-home outpatient physical, provided under Medicare Part B regulations, in the home setting as a convenience. Patient do NOT need to be homebound and services are covered exactly the same as if you drove to a clinic, but we go to the patient as a convenience.

• Pros
• Convenience
• One-on-one treatments with a physical therapist
• The ability to customize therapy to your particular setting and issues rather than focusing on less functional machines in a clinic setting.
• The goal of therapy is to help the patient reach their highest rehab potential.
• Therapy is generally scheduled for one hour per session.
• No need to coordinate transportation or drive to a clinic.
• Cons
• May be limited to certain geographic areas since insurance does not reimburse therapists for travel under this model.
• You may have a copay or coinsurance due depending on your insurance.

Home Health" is a technical term for skilled medical services provided in the home setting under Medicare Part A regulations.

• Pros
• Services are often covered 100% by insurance.
• Home Health can also provide skilled nursing or occupational therapy services as needed.
• These services usually have a larger geographic reach, since Medicare part A pays more to offset the travel expenses.
• Cons
• Patients must be homebound (having significant difficulty leaving the house)
• Services can be very limited in scope and duration due to regulations.
• The goal of therapy is often to help the patient get out of the house to continue therapy in a clinic setting.
• Therapy is often less than one hour since services are reimbursed differently. Extensive documentation requirements may also take away from one-on-one therapy time. (You'll know what I'm talking about if you have ever had therapy with a PT who spends most of their time staring at the computer screen instead of paying attention to you.)

Home Health therapy is best if you have had a qualifying hospital stay, are truly homebound, or need multiple therapies (such as nursing or occupation therapy). In-home outpatient is best if you are not homebound and prefer the benefits of receiving physical therapy in the home setting.