Health Insurance in India: What Covers Physiotherapy and Rehab

When you're recovering from surgery, an injury, or chronic pain, health insurance, a financial safety net that pays for medical care when you need it. Also known as medical insurance, it’s supposed to make recovery easier — but in India, many people don’t realize how much of physiotherapy and rehab is actually covered. You might think your policy handles everything after a hospital stay, but that’s not always true. Most basic plans pay for surgery, hospital rooms, and medicines — but physiotherapy, a hands-on treatment that helps restore movement and reduce pain after injury or illness often gets left out unless you’ve paid extra for it.

Even if your plan says it covers "rehabilitation," the fine print might limit you to just a few sessions, or only if it’s done in a hospital. Private clinics, home visits, or long-term therapy? Those are rarely included. And if you’re recovering from heart surgery, knee replacement, or even a sports injury, you could need 20, 30, or even 50 sessions. That adds up fast. Some policies now offer add-ons for rehabilitation insurance, an optional coverage that includes ongoing therapy, mobility aids, and home-based care, but you have to ask for it before you buy. It’s not automatic.

What about international travel? If you’re an Indian citizen getting treatment abroad — say, for a joint replacement in Thailand or a cardiac rehab program in Singapore — your domestic health insurance likely won’t touch it. You’ll need travel health insurance, a separate policy designed for medical care outside your home country. And even then, many don’t cover physiotherapy unless it’s part of an emergency hospital stay. That’s why people end up paying out of pocket for recovery care they thought was covered.

Here’s the reality: health insurance in India is still catching up to modern recovery needs. If you’ve had surgery, you’re not done when you walk out of the hospital. Your body needs time, movement, and expert guidance — and that’s where physiotherapy makes the difference between full recovery and long-term pain. But without the right coverage, it becomes a luxury, not a right. The good news? More insurers are starting to recognize this. Some corporate plans now include 10–20 physiotherapy sessions. Others bundle it with wellness programs. You just have to dig for it.

Below, you’ll find real stories and practical guides on what’s covered, what’s not, and how to fight for the care you deserve. Whether you’re planning surgery, recovering from one, or just trying to stay mobile as you age, these posts cut through the confusion and show you exactly how to use your insurance — or what to do if it won’t help.