Is laser therapy covered by insurance?
- Dr. Jason Rountree
- Jun 27, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 22, 2023
Update as of August 2023:
The majority of insurance providers now deny coverage for laser therapy in most states, especially high-power Class 4 laser. Why? We truly do not know, since every year hundreds of new studies are published proving the effectiveness of laser therapy. We hope these policies will be changed in the near future to help more patients access this amazing therapy.
Medicare - Medicare lists laser therapy as a non-payable service
Medicare replacement plans - will typically not cover laser therapy
Medicaid - Medicaid does not reimburse this service
Private Insurance - a few plans will reimburse varying amounts, but most private insurers are now denying this service
Personal Injury/Auto Accidents - laser therapy is usually covered
Worker's Compensation - every case is different, but we will be happy to speak with you about your case
Some physical therapists may bill laser therapy as "manual therapy" since they are massaging the soft tissues while applying laser, and this is sometimes covered by insurance.
Are you worried you can't afford this treatment if insurance doesn't help? Read this blog: How much does laser therapy cost?
Below is our original blog from a few years ago.
This is a question nearly every patient asks - does my insurance cover laser therapy? Well, the answer may be a bit complicated, but at Montana Laser and Medical Center the short version is mostly "yes!"
Does my insurance cover laser therapy?
The biggest factor here is which plan you have.
Insurance type
Medicare - Medicare will typically cover this service at Montana Laser
Medicare replacement plans - will typically cover medical laser therapy at Montana Laser
Medicaid - Medicaid does not participate with us at all
Private Insurance - most plans will reimburse varying amounts
Personal Injury/Auto Accidents - laser therapy is usually always covered in our clinic
Worker's Compensation - every case is different. We will be happy to speak with you about your case at no charge.
We have spent years aggressively lobbying and appealing to insurance companies in order to be one of the few laser centers in the nation who can accept most insurance plans. We did this for the sole purpose of improving patient access to this life-changing modality, and it was worth it! While it is definitely more difficult and less profitable to bill insurances, it has allowed many more patients to enjoy the benefits of laser therapy than would otherwise be able to.
Do you want to use your insurance?
It may sound odd, but this is the next question we ask many patients. For some patients, you may wonder if it's even worth billing your insurance for laser therapy. Between larger and larger copays, visit limits, difficult pre-authorizations, growing deductibles, and seemingly arbitrary payment determinations, there may be a lot of drawbacks. Of course, this might still be worth it depending on your situation and your plan. We will perform an insurance verification for every patient we see. That means we'll be able to tell you what your insurance has told us they will cover.
What do you have to lose?
There's no good reason to avoid contacting us to see if laser therapy might be an option for you.
Our case manager will sit down and discuss your condition and your insurance for free
Our providers are in-network with nearly every insurance, which means you'll get the best possible rates
High deductible? No problem. We have discounts available when you pay on the same day or pre-pay for treatments
Can't afford your deductible or our prepaid discounted rates? We can work with you on payment plans or through CareCredit to make sure you get the care you need.
Can't get in to see your family doctor for a referral? Our provider selection means no referral is needed!
We were founded with the intent to HELP as many people as possible with non-surgical, drug-free treatments. Come find out more about us. Call today! 406-314-6400
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