Written and clinically reviewed by Shivaliba Zala, HCPC-registered physiotherapist (PH155757)

Reviewed 2 October 2026

Can I claim physiotherapy on my health insurance?

Check your policy first. Whether your insurer pays for physiotherapy depends on your cover, and your insurer may also want a referral, a pre-authorisation code or a practitioner on its recognised list. We are not on every insurer's recognised list, so check with your insurer before booking if you plan to claim.

How a physio insurance claim usually works

Every insurer has its own rules, but most claims follow the same few steps. Doing them in this order can save you from paying for a session that is not covered.

First, check that your policy includes outpatient therapies such as physiotherapy. Check whether it covers treatment outside hospital, and whether it caps the number of sessions or the amount you can claim in a year.

Second, find out whether you need a GP referral or a pre-authorisation code before your first session. Some insurers let you go straight to a physiotherapist, and some do not.

Third, ask whether the insurer only pays practitioners on its own recognised list. Check whether yours pays any registered physiotherapist, or only those on its list.

Finally, pay for the session, keep the invoice, and send it to your insurer with your claim form. Ask how long the insurer allows for sending a claim in.

What the main insurers say on their own sites

The wording below comes from each insurer's public pages, checked on 1 October 2026. Policies differ, so your own policy documents and your insurer's current pages come first.

Bupa says its health insurance customers can get direct access to a muscle, bone and joint specialist, and that you don't need to wait for a GP referral. It also says treatment is approved with a pre-authorisation code, and that any onward referral is subject to the benefits and exclusions of your cover. Separately, Bupa's contract for physiotherapists says Bupa will not be obliged to fund physiotherapy performed without pre-authorisation.

AXA Health says that with an AXA Health plan you can speak to a physio without the need for a GP referral. You use an online form, then set up a video or telephone call appointment. AXA Health also publishes criteria for individual physiotherapists to become recognised by it, including HCPC registration and electronic invoicing through Healthcode or another system it recognises.

Vitality says members can self-refer for up to 6 physiotherapy sessions every plan year. That route is for face-to-face physiotherapy within its Priority Physio network. For a physiotherapist outside the network, Vitality says it covers sessions as long as the physiotherapist is recognised by it, and pays you back after you pay the invoice. For further sessions it asks for a detailed medical report from your treating physiotherapist.

Aviva says physiotherapy might be included in your cover, depending on what your policy includes. Depending on the policy, the route can start with a referral from a GP or from its digital GP service, or with a specialist referral after a diagnosis. One optional Aviva feature means you only need a GP referral, not a specialist one, for up to 10 sessions per health condition.

Are we on your insurer's recognised list?

We are not on every insurer's recognised list. Check with your insurer before booking if you plan to claim.

We cannot promise that any insurer will pay for a session with us, and nothing on this page says that any insurer accepts our invoices. The simplest way to find out is to ask your insurer two questions: will you pay for online physiotherapy by video, and do you need the practitioner to be on your recognised list?

If your insurer says yes to both, ask them to confirm whether we qualify before you book. Get the answer in writing if you can. If the answer is no, you can still book with us and pay yourself, and the invoice is yours to keep.

What our invoice shows

After a paid session we send you an invoice as a PDF. It lists our HCPC registration number and the session you paid for, itemised, so you can see exactly what the charge covers.

Insurers differ in what they want to see on an invoice, so send your insurer what it asks for. If your insurer asks for something that isn't on the invoice, contact us.

You can check how our online sessions work in how online physiotherapy works, and see what a first appointment costs on the pricing page. If you are deciding between private and NHS care, our guide on whether you need a GP referral may help.

Common questions

Is physio covered by Bupa?

Bupa says its health insurance customers can get direct access to a muscle, bone and joint specialist, with treatment approved by a pre-authorisation code and subject to the benefits and exclusions of your cover. Check your own policy, and ask Bupa whether the practitioner you want to see is eligible before you book.

Does my insurer need a GP referral for physio?

It depends on the insurer and the policy. Bupa, AXA Health and Vitality each describe a route that does not need a GP referral for some members, while Aviva describes routes that can start with a GP referral. Ask your insurer which applies to you.

Does PhysioOnClick accept insurance?

You pay us directly and we give you an invoice to claim with. We are not on every insurer's recognised list, and we cannot promise that any insurer will pay. Check with your insurer before booking if you plan to claim.

What does your invoice include?

A PDF invoice with our HCPC registration number and an itemised line for the session you paid for. Send it to your insurer with your claim form if they ask for it.

This information is general and not a substitute for an assessment. Don't start a new exercise programme without advice from a physiotherapist or doctor who knows your condition. If an exercise causes pain that doesn't settle, stop and seek advice.

Sources

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A 60-minute video assessment with an HCPC-registered physiotherapist is £40.

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