Best Health Insurance for Physiotherapy
in India
If you or a loved one has ever needed physiotherapy, you already know how important and expensive it can get. In India, a single physiotherapy session can cost around Rs. 1500. And it rarely stops at one. Many conditions require multiple sessions spread across weeks or even months. For a lot of people, this adds up quickly and becomes a
financial strain.
Now here’s the real issue. Around 60 to 70% of Indians still pay out-of-pocket for healthcare, including physiotherapy. Only about 27 to 37% of the population has any form of health insurance at all. That means most people either skip treatment, cut it short, or end up paying from their own pockets, often at the cost of other
important needs.
At the same time, the demand for physiotherapy in India is growing fast. The physiotherapy market was worth around $0.96 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow steadily at nearly 9% every year until 2030. This is mainly because of the rise in chronic health issues and lifestyle-related conditions. But here’s the catch. India has only about 0.59 physiotherapists for every 10,000 people. So not only is access to care limited, but even when services are available, they remain unaffordable for many because of poor insurance coverage.
Government schemes like CGHS do offer some help, but access is limited and usually tied to specific conditions or approvals. Private insurance companies are starting to expand their OPD and rehabilitation benefits, especially as the industry grows. Gross written premiums in private health insurance have crossed INR 637 billion in recent years, so there is hope that better coverage is on the way.
In this blog, we’re going to walk you through the best health insurance policies that cover physiotherapy. We’ll also break down everything else you need to keep in mind while picking a plan, so you’re not caught off guard when you actually need the support. Let's get started.
Top Health Insurance Plans for
Physiotherapy in India
| Feature | Bajaj Allianz Health-Care Supreme | Star Comprehensive | Niva Bupa Aspire (Gold+) | HDFC ERGO Health Wallet (Family Floater) | Care Supreme | Niva Bupa CritiCare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other pre-existing diseases covered | All declared PED after 36 m | All PED after 24-48 m | PED after 24-36 m | PED after 24-48 m | PED after 24-48 m | 90 listed critical illnesses only (PED wait 90 d) |
| Physiotherapy coverage | - In-patient physio inside SI ✔ - Out-patient: add-on "Physiotherapy & Rehab" up to ₹15 k / yr |
In-patient physio ✔ Out-patient: allowed in 60-day post-hospital window |
Rider "Rehab & Recovery" reimburses physio up to ₹20 k per claim | "Health-Wallet" reserves 1 % of SI yearly; can pay OPD physio bills cashless | In-patient physio ✔ Add-on OPD wallet ₹10 k-₹25 k for sessions |
Pays for physio after any listed critical-illness surgery up to ₹25 k lump-sum |
| Illnesses where physio is often needed | Joint replacements, stroke rehab, COPD, cardiac bypass, paediatric CP | Joint replacements, stroke rehab, COPD, cardiac bypass, paediatric CP, trauma fractures | Joint replacements, stroke rehab, COPD, cardiac bypass, paediatric CP, bariatric surgery rehab | Joint replacements, stroke rehab, COPD, cardiac bypass, paediatric CP, sports injuries | Joint replacements, stroke rehab, COPD, cardiac bypass, paediatric CP, neuro rehab | Only if claim arises from covered critical illness |
| Pre- / post-hospital expenses | 60 / 90 d | 60 / 90 d | 60 / 90 d | 60 / 90 d | 30 / 60 d | Lump-sum only |
| Preventive check-ups | Biennial | Annual | Annual | Annual (wallet funds) | Annual | None |
| In-patient room rule | Single private; no cap in Elite | No cap | Single private; no cap ≥₹10 L | No cap in "Restore" layer | No cap | Same as base policy of client |
| Extended stay / cash benefit | Convalescence ₹15 k (≥ 10 days) | Daily cash rider | Daily cash rider | Daily cash from wallet | Convalescence ₹10 k | Not applicable |
| PED waiting (physio-related) | 36 m | 24-48 m | 24-36 m | 24-48 m | 24-48 m | 90 d (but CI onset must be new) |
| Instant cover new illness | 30 d wait | 30 d | 30 d | 30 d | 30 d | 30 d |
| Complication cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, if linked to CI |
| Cashless hospitals | ~ 7 000 | ~ 14 000 | ~ 8 000 | ~ 10 000 | ~ 16 500 | ~ 8 000 |
| Indicative premium* (₹) | 9 k-15 k | 10 k-16 k | 12 k-18 k | 9 k-15 k | 8 k-13 k | 6 k-10 k |
| OPD / medicine cover | Rider ₹15 k | Add-on only | Rider ₹20 k | Wallet amount (roll-over) | Rider wallet ₹25 k | No |
| Claim-settlement FY 23-24 | 94 % | 90-95 % | 90 % | 94 % | 94 % | 90 % |
| Unique benefits | Worldwide cover add-on; 60/90 pre-post | Unlimited SI refill ×3; newborn & maternity | ReAssure unlimited refill; rehab rider | Unused wallet rolls over + bonus interest | Unlimited SI refill; largest network | Lump-sum income on diagnosis of CI |
| Portability | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sum-Insured band | 5 L-1 Cr | 5 L-1 Cr | 5 L-25 L | 5 L-2 Cr | 5 L-1 Cr | 5 L-2 Cr lump-sum |
| Entry age | 18-65 y | 18-65 y | 18-65 y | 18-65 y | 18-65 y | 18-65 y |
| Policy type | Individual / Floater | Individual / Floater | Individual / Floater | Individual / Floater | Individual / Floater | Individual |
| Tenure | 1-3 y | 1-3 y | 1-3 y | 1-3 y | 1-3 y | 1-3 y |
| SI restore | 100 % once | 100 % ×3 | Unlimited | Quadruple combo | Unlimited | Not relevant |
| No-claim bonus | 50-100 % | 50-100 % | 50-100 % | 50-100 % | 50-100 % | N/A |
* Please read the disclaimer at the end of this page before purchasing this policy.
Our Top Recommended Insurance Policies
If you’re looking for a health insurance plan that supports long-term recovery and post-hospital care, HDFC ERGO Health Wallet is worth considering. It goes beyond hospitalisation and quietly builds a reserve for regular health needs like physiotherapy, braces, or even walking aids. The more time you spend with this policy, the more value you get from its inbuilt benefits, especially if physiotherapy is part of your ongoing health journey.
Why It Stands Out
A built-in OPD “Wallet” sets aside 1% of your sum insured every year. You can use this for cashless physiotherapy sessions, follow-up consults, or even walking aids.
The optional Secure + Protect + Restore + Plus layers can boost your sum insured up to 4 times, offering better protection during long rehab periods.
Unused wallet amounts carry forward year after year with a 6% bonus interest, creating a growing fund for future physiotherapy needs.
No room rent cap in the Restore or Enhance layers, which means full coverage if physiotherapy is part of a hospital package.
Potential Limitations
You can only use the wallet at network providers. If your physiotherapist is outside the network, you’ll need to pay first and claim reimbursement, which must match the insurer’s approved rates.
There's a 24 to 48-month waiting period for pre-existing musculoskeletal or neurological conditions. Physiotherapy linked to these won't be covered during that time.
Upgrading to the full four-layer combo increases the premium by around 20 to 25 percent.
Bajaj Allianz Health-Care Supreme
This plan is a solid choice if you want dedicated support for physiotherapy without mixing it into your hospital bills. Bajaj Allianz Health-Care Supreme gives you flexibility with a separate rider just for physio and rehab. Whether you're recovering at home or doing sessions post-surgery, this plan helps you manage those costs with fewer restrictions.
Why It Stands Out
Comes with a “Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation” rider that pays up to ₹15,000 per year for out-patient or home-based physio.
Offers 60-day pre and 90-day post-hospital coverage. This means you can claim for rehab sessions in the three months after a hospital stay.
Includes a worldwide treatment add-on. If you have a joint replacement abroad, follow-up physiotherapy in India can still be covered.
Has a convalescence benefit of ₹15,000 if you’re hospitalised for more than ten days. This is useful for rehab equipment or hiring a caregiver.
Potential Limitations
The physiotherapy rider is optional. If you forget to add it while buying the policy, you’ll have to wait until renewal to include it.
The base plan only allows a single private room. If you opt for a higher room without upgrading to the Elite version, the insurer will reduce payouts on all physio charges.
There’s a 36-month waiting period for pre-existing knee, spine, or neuro conditions.
Care Supreme – Value Variant
This plan is a good fit if you want strong hospital coverage with the flexibility to cover physiotherapy, especially for post-surgical rehab. Care Supreme’s Value Variant is built to support recovery by offering cashless treatment at a wide range of hospitals and an optional OPD wallet that gives direct access to physiotherapy services. It also offers unlimited refill of your Sum Insured, making sure you're not left stranded after a major claim.
Why It Stands Out
Offers unlimited automatic sum-insured refills. Even if one admission and rehab cycle uses up your full cover, it gets reset for the next claim within the same year.
Has one of the largest cashless hospital networks in India, improving your chances of finding a physio near you that accepts cashless claims.
Offers an add-on OPD wallet with limits like ₹10,000, ₹15,000, or ₹25,000 that can be used for out-patient physio or rehab equipment.
No cap on room rent in the Value tier. In-patient physiotherapy and implant costs are covered up to the full sum insured.
Potential Limitations
The waiting period for orthopaedic or neurological pre-existing conditions is 36 months, which is a bit longer than HDFC ERGO Wallet’s range.
Out-patient physiotherapy is only covered if you buy the OPD wallet. Without it, you're limited to the 60-day post-hospital window.
Even though you get unlimited refills, they can't be used for the same condition twice in one policy year. So, if you get hospitalised again for the same issue, it’ll be counted against the original limit.
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a form of physical treatment that helps restore and improve body movement when someone is injured, sick, or dealing with a long-term health issue. It supports recovery through guided exercises, fitness training, and injury prevention techniques. Physiotherapy doesn't just focus on treating what's already wrong. It also helps lower the chances of facing the same issue again in the future.
Depending on the problem, physiotherapists may use sound waves, electrical currents, laser therapy, or vibration treatments along with regular exercises. What makes physiotherapy different is how involved you are in your own healing. It’s a hands-on and patient-centred approach that focuses on your long-term well-being.
Types of Physiotherapy
Neurological Physiotherapy
If you’ve seen someone with Parkinson’s, you’ll know the shaking hands or difficulty in movement that comes with it. Neurological physiotherapy is meant for such conditions. It helps manage motor issues caused by disorders like stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and other nerve-related conditions. With the right therapy, patients can improve muscle coordination, reduce symptoms, and maintain better quality of life over time.
Orthopaedic Physiotherapy
Had a sports injury or undergone surgery after a bad fall? This is where orthopaedic physiotherapy steps in. It focuses on healing issues related to bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments. Whether it’s a torn ligament, broken bone, or post-operative pain, this type of therapy helps improve movement and manage discomfort. Doctors often recommend it during the recovery phase to speed up healing and help you get back on your feet.
Paediatric Physiotherapy
Children, too, face physical challenges. Some are born with developmental delays, while others may have injuries or conditions like cerebral palsy. Paediatric physiotherapy is designed to help kids improve their movement, balance, posture, and coordination. The exercises and activities are fun, playful, and suited to their age, helping them reach their full physical potential with confidence.
Geriatric Physiotherapy
As we grow older, joint pain, muscle stiffness, and limited mobility become common. Geriatric physiotherapy focuses on helping older adults manage these issues so they can stay active and independent. It targets age-related conditions like arthritis, balance problems, and post-surgical recovery. Along with the right health insurance plan, physiotherapy becomes a helpful support system for seniors to manage pain and improve their quality of life.
Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy
Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy is for people who have heart or lung problems. It helps with conditions like asthma, COPD, or after a heart attack. The therapy includes breathing exercises, physical conditioning, and endurance training to make your heart and lungs work better. Over time, this improves your stamina, reduces breathlessness, and helps you return to your daily routine with more energy.
Common Conditions Treated with Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used to treat many different health conditions to help people move better and reduce pain. Here are some common examples:
| Condition | Examples |
|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal Disorders | Problems like backaches, stiff necks, joint inflammation, and sports-related injuries. |
| Neurological Conditions | Conditions affecting the brain and nerves, such as stroke recovery, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis. |
| Cardiopulmonary Issues | Assistance with breathing issues like COPD and recovery after cardiac events. |
| Paediatric Conditions | Issues affecting children, such as cerebral palsy and delays in reaching developmental milestones. |
| Post-Surgical Rehabilitation | Getting movement and strength back after operations, especially on bones and joints. |
Is Physiotherapy Covered by Health Insurance in India?
The short answer is yes, but it depends on your plan. Not every policy includes it by default, but some plans are specifically designed to offer physiotherapy sessions. Others might offer it as an add-on benefit for an extra charge. Before buying or renewing your health insurance, it’s worth checking if physiotherapy is part of the coverage. If it isn’t, talk to your insurer and explore if it can be added. Getting the right plan that covers both hospital expenses and recovery treatments like physiotherapy can make a big difference in long-term care.
Why Should You Buy Health Insurance for Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy plays a major role in recovery, but it can also be heavy on the pocket. That’s where a good health insurance plan comes in. Let’s break down why getting health insurance for physiotherapy is a smart move:
What to Look for When Choosing a Health Insurance Plan for Physiotherapy
Not all insurance plans cover physiotherapy the same way. If you’re thinking of buying one, here’s what you should check:
Make Sure Physiotherapy is Clearly Covered
Check for OPD Coverage
Prefer Plans Without Sub-Limits on Sessions
Go for Plans with Shorter Waiting Periods
Strong Network with In-House Physiotherapy
Look for Day-Care and Cashless Claim Options
Bonus: Check if Physiotherapy is Covered Under a Critical Illness Rider
Taking a little extra time to find the right health plan for physiotherapy can save you money and ensure that you get the treatment you need, right when you need it.
What is Not Covered Under Health Insurance for Physiotherapy?
When it comes to health insurance, not every physiotherapy expense is included. Knowing what your policy does not cover can save you from unexpected bills. Here's what is usually left out:
Additional Benefits to Consider
Some insurance plans go beyond the basics and offer helpful extras for physiotherapy. These can make a significant difference in your treatment experience:
1
Teleconsultations with Physiotherapists
Some plans allow online consultations, making it easier to access expert advice without visiting a clinic.
2
Home-Based Physiotherapy
Certain policies cover therapy sessions at home if your medical condition requires it. This is useful for recovery after surgery or injury.
3
Alternative Treatments Combined with Physiotherapy
A few plans support treatments like Ayurveda or naturopathy when used along with physiotherapy. Always check if these are clearly included in your policy.
4
Wellness Programs and Preventive Therapy Discounts
Some insurers offer wellness programs that include discounts on preventive care and regular physiotherapy check-ups. These extras promote long-term health and can reduce future medical expenses.
Understanding what your health insurance covers and what it doesn’t will help you make smarter decisions when choosing a plan or going for treatment. Always read your policy details carefully.
Disclaimers & Important Conditions
