Physical, occupational and speech therapy: what Medicare covers

Part B covers medically necessary outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language therapy when your provider certifies that you need it.

What's covered

• Physical therapy to help you move, recover from injury or surgery, or manage pain.
• Occupational therapy to help you do daily activities like dressing and bathing.
• Speech-language therapy for speech, language, thinking and swallowing skills.

A doctor, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant must certify that you need it.

You don't have to be getting better

Medicare covers therapy to improve your abilities, to maintain them, or to slow a decline. If a provider says Medicare stopped paying only because you're no longer improving, ask why, and appeal if you disagree.

What you pay (2026)

20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the $283 Part B deductible. Medigap or a Medicare Advantage plan may cover some of that. Medicare Advantage plans may require prior authorization for therapy.

No yearly cap, but a review point

There's no limit on how much Medicare pays for medically necessary outpatient therapy in a year. In 2026, once your therapy costs pass $2,480 for physical and speech therapy combined, or $2,480 for occupational therapy, your provider must confirm on each claim that the therapy is medically necessary. It's a paperwork step, not a cut-off. If your provider thinks Medicare may not pay for a service, they may give you an Advance Beneficiary Notice first.

Therapy at home or after a hospital stay

• If you're homebound, Medicare covers therapy at home through a Medicare-certified home health agency, and you pay nothing. See home health care.
• Therapy in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospital stay is covered as part of that stay. See skilled nursing care.
• Through December 31, 2027, some therapy, like speech therapy, can be done by telehealth from home.