Physical Therapy Voucher

Before beginning physical therapy treatment, you must have a physical therapy referral, also known as a physical therapy prescription. This medical document allows you to begin appropriate treatment and receive reimbursement according to your insurance coverage.

At CARE, our teams are here to assist you in navigating the process and provide personalized support tailored to your needs.

What is a physical therapy voucher?

A physical therapy referral is a medical prescription issued by a doctor that authorizes physical therapy sessions.

This order states that physical therapy treatment is necessary in the following circumstances:

From a pain
From an injury
Postoperative rehabilitation
A functional disorder
A musculoskeletal condition
Whether for preventive care or physical rehabilitation

The voucher also allows your health or accident insurance to cover the sessions, subject to the terms of your coverage.

Information That May Be Included on a Prescription 

The prescription typically includes information about the patient, the prescribing physician’s contact information, and the diagnosis or the area to be treated.
This diagnosis may also be sent directly to the insurance company’s medical advisor, at the prescribing physician’s discretion, to ensure confidentiality.

The prescription also specifies the number of sessions to be completed, whether long-term treatment is indicated, and the date of the prescription.

Information Required for Your Coverage

For coverage to be granted, certain information must be included on the prescription, including:

The Patient's Identity

The statute of limitations

the prescribing physician's official stamp and signature

the information required by the insurance company and the therapist, such as the purpose of the treatment and the number of sessions prescribed.

For balneotherapy treatments, coverage must be specifically indicated on the medical authorization form to allow for sessions in the therapeutic pool, as well as the notation “group session.”

If you have any questions or are missing any information, the CARE teams can assist you with the necessary steps.

How long does the treatment last, and how many sessions are prescribed?

The prescription specifies the duration of treatment and the number of authorized sessions. The first physical therapy session should generally begin within 5 weeks of the prescription date.

Prescribed sessions must generally be completed within 3 months of the first physical therapy session; otherwise, you will need to provide justification to the insurance company once this deadline has passed.

If the total number of sessions exceeds 36, the insurance company must guarantee coverage, even if some of the sessions were conducted at another center.

A medical report from the prescribing physician must then be submitted to the insurer’s medical advisor. To simplify the process for you and provide you with better support, we can submit a request for coverage (PEC) to your insurance company on your behalf.

Insurance companies generally make a decision within about 10 days of receiving the application and the necessary medical documents.

With regard to international insurance, it is not necessary to submit a request for coverage.

Important:

If treatment is interrupted for an extended period or if physical therapy is for a new condition, a new course of treatment may be considered, and the session count starts over.

When multiple doses per day are required (for example, 2 doses per day), the prescribing physician must include this information on the prescription.

What documents should I bring to my first appointment?

For your first appointment, it's important to bring:

The original order

The insurance card

Accident Report if Treatment Is Due to an Accident

As well as, if possible, all relevant medical tests (X-rays, MRIs, medical reports, etc.). Please note:
For patients covered by the Hospice général, the referral form must be presented when submitting or updating the administrative file. Without this document, the patient may be responsible for the costs of the services.Please inform us of any changes to your insurance coverage or administrative status during your treatment.

In short:

The first physical therapy session must begin no later than 5 weeks from the date of the prescription.

As a general rule, the prescribed sessions must be completed within 3 months of the first session.

If a treatment course exceeds 36 sessions, a medical report from the prescribing physician is required to obtain a guarantee of coverage from the insurance company.

Insurance companies generally respond within 10 days of receiving the claim.

When multiple doses per day are required, this must be specified on the prescription (2ttt/day).

For balneotherapy sessions, the prescription must explicitly state “group session.”

Patients receiving care from the Hospice Général must provide a referral form when submitting or updating their administrative file. Without this document, the patient may be responsible for the cost of services.