How Medicare Covers Physical Therapy for Joint Pain

If you experience lingering joint pain despite correcting your walking habits, do not wait for the cartilage to deteriorate completely. Early intervention through physical therapy can strengthen the muscles surrounding your joints, correct your gait, and often prevent the need for invasive surgery entirely.

Fortunately, Medicare.gov confirms that Medicare Part B provides robust coverage for medically necessary outpatient physical therapy. In 2026, Medicare rules make accessing this care straightforward, provided your doctor or therapist documents the medical necessity of the treatment.

Here is how the cost structure breaks down for Medicare beneficiaries in 2026:

• The Annual Deductible: You must first meet your annual Part B deductible, which is $257 for 2026.
• Your Coinsurance: After meeting the deductible, Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount for your physical therapy sessions. You pay the remaining 20 percent. If you carry a Medigap policy, such as Plan G, your supplemental insurance typically covers this 20 percent entirely.
• The KX Modifier Threshold: Medicare no longer enforces a hard financial cap on how much physical therapy you can receive. Instead, they use a tracking threshold. For 2026, this threshold is $2,480 for physical therapy and speech-language pathology combined. If your therapy costs exceed this amount, your therapist simply attaches a “KX modifier” to your billing code, attesting that continued care remains medically necessary.

To help you visualize the financial difference between preventive care and surgical intervention, review the comparison table below.