Private-Pay Physical Therapy
A private-pay practice,
by deliberate design.
After two decades of practicing inside the insurance-driven model, Priscilla built this studio around a simple conviction: patients deserve care shaped by their clinical needs — not by what an insurance company will authorize.
The Case
The modern insurance-based physical therapy clinic was not built for patients. It was built for volume.
Many clinics schedule thirty-minute sessions split across three patients at once. Treatment plans are shaped by CPT codes and visit caps. Aides and assistants fill the gaps that therapists can no longer cover. And the therapist's attention — the very thing a patient is there to receive — is the first casualty.
This practice is the response to all of that. One therapist. One patient. Every minute of every session.
The Difference
Two models,
two entirely different experiences.
Typical Insurance Clinic
Status Quo- 15–30 minutes with the therapist, often less
- Two to four patients treated simultaneously
- Significant time handed off to aides or techs
- Treatment plans constrained by CPT codes and visit caps
- Prior authorizations and referral delays
- Session count determined by insurance, not clinical progress
- Billing disputes, surprise co-pays, EOB confusion
- Documentation burden eats into treatment time
PJH Therapy Studio
Our Practice- 55–60 minutes with Priscilla, undivided
- One patient at a time — no exceptions
- Every technique performed by Priscilla herself
- Treatment shaped entirely by what you need
- No referral needed to start. No prior authorizations. No waiting
- We discharge you when you're better — not when a policy says so
- Transparent, upfront pricing: $120 per session. No surprise bills
- Time spent on you, not on paperwork
Six Reasons It Matters
What you get when
insurance isn't in the room.
Dedicated one-on-one time
Every session is 55 to 60 minutes of one-on-one time with a board-certified orthopedic specialist. No aides, no assistants, no split attention. The person evaluating you is the person treating you — every single visit.
Care driven by clinical need
Treatment is guided by what your body requires, not by what a billing code permits. Manual therapy, dry needling, movement work — the session adapts to you, not to an insurance protocol.
Faster results, fewer visits
When every session is 55 to 60 minutes of hands-on care with an expert clinician, progress comes quickly. Many private-pay patients resolve in significantly fewer visits than they would in an insurance setting — often making the total investment comparable or lower.
No referral to start, no delays
Book online today, be seen this week. No waiting on a physician referral to get started, no prior authorization approvals, no insurance intake paperwork. When you're in pain, the right answer is not "let me see if your plan covers it."
Total transparency
Every session is $120, and you know that before you walk in the door. No surprise bills months after a visit. No confusion about co-insurance or deductibles. You know what you're paying for and you know what you're getting.
Your privacy, protected
When treatment isn't processed through insurance, your medical information stays between you and your therapist. Nothing is reported to insurance databases that can follow you across jobs, plans, and decades.
Running the Numbers
Often closer in cost than patients expect.
After co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles, an insurance-covered PT episode frequently costs more than patients realize — and delivers a fraction of the therapist time.
When you factor in the efficiency of longer one-on-one expert sessions, private-pay physical therapy is often competitive on total cost — and dramatically better on outcomes per dollar.
Illustrative Comparison
Illustrative only — actual costs and visit counts vary by person and plan.
Pricing & Payment
Private pay, practically speaking.
Transparent Pricing
$120
Per 55–60 minute session — initial evaluations and follow-up treatments are the same price. Payment is collected at the time of service, so there are no surprise bills later.
HSA / FSA Eligible
Physical therapy is a qualified medical expense. If you have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account, you can use those pre-tax funds to pay for care.
Superbills on Request
If your insurance includes out-of-network physical therapy benefits, we provide detailed superbills you can submit for potential reimbursement directly from your insurer.
Common Questions
What patients ask us.
Do I need a referral to come see you?
No — not to get started. Texas direct-access law lets you begin physical therapy without a referral. If your care continues beyond the period the law allows (currently up to 30 days), Texas requires a referral from a physician, dentist, chiropractor, or other qualified provider, and we're glad to help coordinate it. Insurance referral and authorization rules don't apply, because we don't bill insurance.
How much does a session cost?
Every session — initial evaluation or follow-up treatment — is $120 for 55 to 60 minutes of one-on-one time with Priscilla. Payment is collected at the time of service, and you can see open times and book online.
Can I get reimbursed by my insurance?
Possibly, yes. Many plans include out-of-network physical therapy benefits. We provide superbills you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement according to your policy's terms. Reimbursement is between you and your insurer — we don't bill them on your behalf.
Is this really more cost-effective?
For many patients, yes. The combination of longer one-on-one sessions, expert-only care, and freedom from insurance constraints typically resolves issues in substantially fewer visits. When you add up co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles in a traditional setting, the total investment is often comparable — and the quality of care is not close.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes. Physical therapy is a qualified medical expense under IRS guidelines, and HSA and FSA funds can be used directly. We accept those payment methods at the time of service.
Why should I trust this model?
Private-pay (also called fee-for-service or out-of-network) physical therapy is a well-established model nationally, particularly among experienced clinicians who want to provide quality care without insurance interference. Priscilla spent over 20 years in insurance-based practice before founding this studio — this model is a direct response to what that experience taught her about what patients actually need.
What if I can't afford private-pay?
We respect that this model isn't right for every budget, and we're happy to discuss it transparently. Contact us to talk through pricing and payment options. For patients whose financial situation requires insurance-based care, we're glad to provide referrals to excellent colleagues in the Austin area.