Is Pelvic Floor Therapy Worth the Cost?
We make choices everyday about what is worth our time and money. Everyone has their own outlook based on how they were raised, current financial situation and priorities. We are here to encourage you to prioritize your health. If you’re pregnant, how much is it worth to you to understand the changes in your body? Confidently knowing what you can do to protect your core and pelvic floor? How to prepare your mind and body for the birth you want? If you have pelvic floor dysfunction, how much is it worth to you to be able to run and laugh without leaking? To enjoy sex with your partner again (or for the first time!)? To feel strong and confident in your body? For us - and for all of our clients - there’s no price you can put on being able to do all the things you want and need to do without leaking, pain, fear or discomfort.
What Are The Pelvic Muscles?
Your pelvic floor muscles attach to the bones of your pelvis and serve as a stabilizing support system for your whole body. Imagine a hammock of muscles at the base of your pelvis, with openings for your urethra (where you pee), your vagina, and your anus (where you poop). They play an important role in bladder and bowel function, supporting your pelvic organs, comfortable sexual experiences, and vaginal birth.
What To Expect At Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy can look a little different depending on your reason for seeking treatment and the specialist you choose. As perinatal experts, we specialize in preventative care during pregnancy, birth preparation, managing and treating any pains or concerns, postpartum recovery, and return to exercise. If you see a perinatal expert, you can expect a combination of education, manual treatment, movements and exercise, and helping you meet your goals.
The Cost Of Pelvic Floor Therapy
Pelvic floor therapists often work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or in-home, and they choose to be in network or out of network with insurance companies. This can impact the cost for you, but it’s important to understand HOW.
Insurance Providers
In network providers have an agreement with insurance companies to provide a service, and the insurance company will reimburse the provider for that service. If you see an in-network provider, you need to know whether or not your insurance company covers that service (PT or OT), what your deductible is, and if you have a copay. If you have a high deductible, you may need to pay the full cost of the service until you meet your deductible. Out of network providers create pricing frameworks based on the amount that insurance companies reimburse for certain treatments and services.
Hospitals are really big businesses. We wish it weren’t true, but the bottom line is often more important than quality patient care. Out of network services can be as high as $400 or $500 per session. If you haven’t met your deductible, you owe that amount. Even if you have met your deductible, you may have a high copay. Long story short, you may end up with a pretty big bill for short sessions where you feel like just another patient running through the system. (We’ve been there- as both the provider and the patient).
Cash-Based Providers
Out-of-network providers do not have agreements with insurance companies. They have a fixed price for their services, and that’s what you pay. There are no copays, no hidden fees, and no surprises. The cost out of pocket for a session may vary between $100 and $300 per session (sometimes more or less depending on geographical location). Out-of-network providers do not interface with insurance companies, which means they create pricing frameworks that match the value they provide. They often spend more time thinking about and planning unique sessions for unique clients, and their sessions are almost always longer. This type of provider doesn’t want to be constrained by insurance companies that tell them who they can see, for how long, and how to treat them.
Most cash-based providers try really hard to make sure their clients can afford their services. They can provider superbills which you can submit to your insurance company if you have out of network benefits. They often also accept HSA, FSA, and/or have package deals so that you get more bang for your buck. This route often means you get more individualized care and you get better faster.
Key Takeaways For Pelvic Floor Therapy Costs
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide the value you place on your health, and where you prioritize your time and money. Our healthcare and insurance system is WACKY. It doesn’t make a ton of sense, and most people end up paying way more than they think they’ve signed up for. We’ve chosen to be out-of-network, cash-based providers from the beginning because of the freedom it offers us to serve whoever, whenever, wherever, doing whatever serves them best. A lot of people choose providers they are in-network with because that’s what they think makes sense. But most of the time, they actually end up paying more and spending more time than they would if they came to see us first.
When you work with us, there’s no confusion regarding payment. We’re open and transparent, and we believe your wellness is worth investing in.
We come to you, we spend our undivided time with you, and we teach you how to be your own expert so that you don’t need us! Our goal is to help you meet your goals, faster.
It’s absolutely worth your time to do a little provider shopping and investigation to find out if an insurance based or cash based provider is best for you! If you would like to learn more, book a free discovery call with us so we can talk about your options.
Written by: Dr. Courtney Trocinski