Medicare
Physical Therapy
Experienced, One-on-One Physical Therapy for
Medicare Patients in Boulder, CO
If you're looking for a physical therapist in Boulder who accepts Medicare, you may also be looking for something harder to find: experienced, individualized care with the time to get to the bottom of your problem.
At Colin O'Banion Physical Therapy, I accept Original Medicare (Part B) for covered outpatient physical therapy services in Boulder, Colorado.
As a Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 20 years of experience, I have worked extensively with adults of Medicare age. Each visit is a full hour of focused, one-on-one care with me. That combination of experience and dedicated time allows me to be targeted and efficient in my approach, using accurate diagnosis, education, focused exercise, skilled hands-on care, and advanced treatment technologies when appropriate.
The quantity and quality of time you spend with your physical therapist matters. Quality cannot be rushed.
Ready to get started?
Experienced, One-on-One Physical Therapy
One-on-one care means I am not moving between multiple patients during your appointment or handing portions of your treatment off to aides or other staff. You work with me for the entire visit, every visit.
That time allows us to:
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Evaluate thoroughly: A detailed history and physical assessment, looking beyond the area that hurts.
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Treat and reassess: Seeing how you respond within the same session and adjusting the approach when necessary.
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Answer your questions: So you understand what I think is happening and why.
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Plan clearly: What we can realistically change and how we will get there.
This is particularly important when you're dealing with a chronic, stubborn, recurring, or complicated problem. Accurate diagnosis and recognizing the patterns contributing to your pain or functional limitations are critical to getting the outcomes you're seeking.
Sometimes that means looking beyond the area that hurts. Sometimes it means reconsidering why a problem keeps returning. And if you've already tried physical therapy without the results you hoped for, it may mean taking another look at the problem before repeating the same treatment.
My goal is for you to understand what I think is happening, what we can realistically change, and what our plan is moving forward.
"Colin takes his time, he's precise, and caring and gentle."
-Margot
Physical Therapy for Active Adults on Medicare
Getting older doesn't mean you should automatically accept losing the activities that matter to you.
Many of the Medicare-age adults I work with want to continue hiking, walking, cycling, skiing, traveling, gardening, playing with grandchildren, or simply moving confidently through everyday life.
Being 65, 75, or 85 tells me very little about what you're capable of or what you'd like to get back to doing. Your plan of care is built around your individual presentation, history, and goals.
Conditions I Treat
I treat a broad range of orthopedic, musculoskeletal, mobility, and pain problems, including:
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Back and neck pain, including sciatica and spinal stenosis (narrowing around the spinal nerves)
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Hip, knee, and shoulder pain
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Arthritis-related pain and mobility limitations
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Balance problems
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Weakness and deconditioning
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Walking limitations
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Chronic or persistent pain
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Recurring injuries
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Tendon and muscle injuries
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Recovery after orthopedic surgery
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Joint replacement rehabilitation
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Difficulty returning to exercise or recreational activities
My Approach to Treatment
After more than two decades of practice, I've refined my treatment approach to be targeted, practical, and efficient.
Depending on your needs, treatment may include:
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Detailed Assessment: A physical and movement evaluation to identify what is contributing to your symptoms.
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Education: A clear explanation of your condition, including which activities and positions to modify while you recover.
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Manual Therapy: Skilled hands-on treatment to improve joint and soft-tissue mobility and reduce pain.
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Therapeutic Exercise: Targeted strengthening, mobility, and balance training.
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Neuromuscular Re-education: Retraining how your muscles activate and coordinate, including electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) when helpful.
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Blood Flow Restriction Therapy: Building strength with lighter loads, useful when heavy lifting isn't appropriate.
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Shockwave Therapy: A non-invasive option for stubborn tendon and soft-tissue problems, when appropriate.
Not every patient needs every treatment. The question I ask is: what combination of treatment makes the most sense for this person and this problem?
The same applies to your home exercise program. More isn't necessarily better. I identify the exercises that matter most for your particular problem and deliver them through an easy-to-use app with videos I record myself, so you know how to perform each one correctly and safely. I also follow up between visits to keep your progress on track.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit is a full hour. We'll review your history, I'll assess how you move, we'll begin treatment, and you'll leave with a clear plan.
To schedule, book the 60-Minute PT Eval and Treatment option online. If you'd like help, email me at colin@colinobanionconsulting.com and I'll get you scheduled.
Please bring:
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Your Medicare card
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Any Medicare Supplement (Medigap) card
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A photo ID
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A referral from your physician, if you have one
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Recent imaging reports or surgical notes, if available
Let's Figure Out What's Going On
Whether it's a back that flares every time you work in the garden or a knee that has made your walks shorter, I'd
like to hear about it.
You'll have my full attention for the hour, and you'll leave understanding what I think is happening and what we're going to do.
Book the 60-Minute PT Eval and Treatment online, or start with a free consultation call if you'd like to talk first.
If you'd like help scheduling, email me at colin@colinobanionconsulting.com and I will call you.
Medicare Physical Therapy FAQs
Do you accept Medicare for physical therapy?
Yes. Colin O'Banion Physical Therapy accepts Original Medicare (Part B) for covered outpatient physical therapy services.
Does Medicare cover outpatient physical therapy?
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient physical therapy when Medicare's coverage requirements are met. After your annual Part B deductible is met, patients with Original Medicare generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan may help pay some or all of the remaining balance, depending on your individual policy. In my experience, once the true cause is identified and treated appropriately, most people begin to see meaningful improvement within the first few sessions It’s important to emphasize that not all physical therapy is the same. When dealing with a condition as complex as sciatica, you need to work with a skilled and experienced therapist to get the best results. On average, most cases take about 6-8 weeks to see significant improvement. This usually involves a combination of clinical visits, consistency with a home exercise program, and following advice on modifying activities and postures that might make your condition worse.
Do I need a doctor's referral for Medicare physical therapy?
You do not need a referral to schedule your first visit. However, Medicare requires that you be under the care of a physician, which is shown by your physician (or a nurse practitioner or physician assistant) signing your physical therapy plan of care. If you have a referral, please bring it. If you don't, I will send your plan of care to your physician for signature.
Is there a limit on how many physical therapy visits Medicare covers?
Medicare does not have a fixed annual limit on medically necessary outpatient physical therapy. Once your therapy costs for the year pass a set amount, continued care requires documentation of medical necessity, which I provide as part of your plan of care.
Are all treatments covered by Medicare?
Most physical therapy services are covered, but some treatments may not be. If a treatment is not covered, I will discuss it with you before using it, and you will sign a Medicare form called an Advance Beneficiary Notice so you understand the cost up front. Without a clear diagnosis and a plan that addresses strength, mobility, and movement patterns, it’s common for symptoms to improve temporarily and then come back.
Do you accept Medicare Advantage plans?
I accept Original Medicare. I am not currently contracted with Medicare Advantage plans. If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan in addition to Original Medicare, your supplemental coverage may help cover some or all of your remaining out-of-pocket costs.
How do I schedule a Medicare physical therapy appointment?
Book online by selecting the 60-Minute PT Eval and Treatment option. If the booking system is confusing, you're welcome to email me for help and I'll call you: colin@colinobanionconsulting.com
How long is each visit?
Every visit is a full hour of one-on-one care with me.
I've already tried physical therapy. Is it worth trying again?
It may be. Many of my clients come to me after other treatment didn't fully resolve their problem. I start by taking another look: your full history, contributing factors beyond the painful area, and what has and hasn't helped so far. A free consultation call is a good way to find out whether my approach is a fit.