Home Health vs Outpatient Physical Therapy

Common Questions:

-What is the difference between home health and outpatient physical therapy?

Home health physical therapy occurs at home with a therapist visiting your home one to two times per week in order to improve overall strength, independence, and confidence within the home setting. Outpatient physical therapy occurs at a clinic outside the home that patients visit for approximately one-hour sessions to improve in balance, endurance, mobility, and strength. 

-Can I do home health and outpatient therapy at the same time?

Unfortunately, patients are unable to utilize both of these therapies at the same time. Medicare regulates this by your physical ability. If you are requiring home health physical therapy, it usually means you are unable to leave your home due to impaired strength, safety, assistance, and/or mobility. Therefore, if you are physically and medically able to leave your home, they will not cover services within the home. 

-Is one better than the other?

Both settings of physical therapy are great opportunities in order to regain function and independence once again! Depending on where you're at in your physical journey will dictate which route to take!

If you have questions or need to schedule an outpatient appointment, call our office at 208-515-7575.  Visit our website at www.allinphysicaltherapy.com to learn more about our clinics and our therapists.

-Tori Salinas, DPT