What Is Mobile Physical Therapy? How It Works in Louisville
Mobile physical therapy is one-on-one physical therapy delivered in your home by a licensed therapist who travels to you. Instead of driving to a clinic, sitting in a waiting room, and sharing your therapist with other patients, you get a full session in the place where you actually live, using your own stairs, chairs, and daily routines.
You may also hear it called in-home physical therapy or concierge physical therapy. At Kentuckiana Mobile Therapy, it is the only way we practice: our physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and occupational therapists come to homes across Louisville and nine counties in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. This guide explains how mobile physical therapy works, who it helps most, what it costs, and how to get started.
How Mobile Physical Therapy Works
A mobile physical therapist brings the clinic to you. Most of what happens in an outpatient gym can happen in a living room, and some of it works better there.
- An evaluation in your home. Your first visit is a full assessment of your history, strength, balance, movement, and goals, plus a look at the home itself. Here is what happens at your first in-home session.
- A plan built around your real life. Goals and exercises are set around the stairs you climb, the chair you get out of, and the walk to the mailbox, not around clinic machines you do not have at home.
- Full, one-on-one sessions. Every visit is a full hour with your therapist, not a few minutes split with an aide or a machine.
- The same therapist each time. Continuity means less re-explaining and a plan that builds from visit to visit.
- Scheduling that fits. Visits run 8am to 6pm, and our phone line is open 8am to 8pm every day.
Mobile Physical Therapy vs. Clinic PT vs. Home Health
Mobile physical therapy is often confused with the two other ways people get therapy. The differences matter for cost, eligibility, and how much attention you get.
| Mobile physical therapy (KMT) | Outpatient clinic PT | Medicare home health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Your home | A clinic you travel to | Your home |
| Who qualifies | Anyone who would benefit | Anyone who can get to the clinic | Generally people who are homebound, with a physician’s order |
| Time with your therapist | A full hour, one-on-one | Often overlaps with other patients | Set by the agency’s plan |
| Referral needed | No, in Kentucky and Indiana | Often required by insurance | Yes |
| How it is paid | Private pay, with HSA and FSA accepted | Usually insurance, with copays | Medicare |
| When it ends | When you reach your goals | Often when authorized visits run out | When you no longer qualify |
If you qualify for Medicare home health, it is worth using. Many families continue with mobile physical therapy when those visits end but recovery is not finished.
Who Mobile Physical Therapy Is For
Mobile physical therapy is not only for people who cannot leave the house. It helps anyone for whom getting to a clinic is the hardest part of getting better:
- People recovering after surgery or illness, including anyone recovering from a hip or knee replacement at home.
- Older adults who want to stay independent at home for as long as possible.
- Anyone worried about falling. Practicing balance in your own home is the most direct way to lower your fall risk.
- Families caring for a loved one, who can learn techniques like safely helping a parent move in the room where they do it every day.
- People who do not drive, or whose family would otherwise take time off work for every appointment.
- Busy adults who would rather not lose half a day to driving and waiting.
What a Mobile Physical Therapist Can Help With
Because care happens where you live, our mobile physical therapy services cover more than exercises:
- Recovery after surgery or illness, including pre- and post-surgical rehab
- Falls prevention and balance training
- Strength coaching for older adults
- Family and caregiver training
- Equipment training for walkers, canes, and braces
- Lifestyle, accountability, and practical nutrition guidance
How Much Does Mobile Physical Therapy Cost?
Kentuckiana Mobile Therapy is a private-pay, cash-based practice. For you, that means:
- Transparent pricing. You know what a session costs before it happens, with no surprise bills or denied claims later.
- One simple monthly invoice, payable by HSA, FSA, check, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or Cash App.
- No insurance visit limits. Your plan follows your progress, not an authorization count.
- Travel included for most visits. Visits within Jefferson County and nearby urban areas are included in your session rate. Locations more than 20 minutes from your therapist may carry a small travel fee, which we always share before your first visit.
For a side-by-side look at the trade-offs, read cash-based physical therapy vs. insurance.
Do You Need a Referral for Mobile Physical Therapy?
No. Kentucky and Indiana are both direct-access states, so you can start with a licensed physical therapist without a doctor’s order. Because we are private pay, no insurer requires one either. We are always glad to coordinate with your doctor if you would like us to. Here is more on why you do not need a doctor’s referral.
Where We Provide Mobile Physical Therapy
Our therapists travel to homes in nine counties across the Kentuckiana region:
- Kentucky: Jefferson County (Louisville, Anchorage, Middletown, St. Matthews, Shively), plus Bullitt, Hardin, Spencer, Shelby, and Oldham counties
- Indiana: Clark County (Jeffersonville, Clarksville), Floyd County (New Albany), and Harrison County
See the full list of cities we serve. If you live outside these counties, contact us anyway. We may still be able to help, or refer you to a trusted colleague.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mobile physical therapy as effective as going to a clinic?
For most people, yes. Most of what a clinic does needs no heavy equipment, and working in your own home means you practice on the exact stairs, chairs, and spaces you use every day. If your needs call for equipment only a clinic has, your therapist will tell you at your evaluation.
What equipment do I need at home?
Usually nothing special. Your therapist brings what the session calls for and uses everyday features of your home, like a sturdy chair, a countertop, or your stairs.
How long is each visit?
Every visit with Kentuckiana Mobile Therapy is a full hour, one-on-one with your therapist.
How quickly can I start?
Request service online or call us, and we will reach out within one business day. Because no referral is needed, care can often begin the same week.
Get Started With Mobile Physical Therapy
If getting to a clinic is the hardest part of getting better, let the therapist come to you. Our therapists, led by founder Jana Killifer, PT, who has practiced in the Louisville area since 1999, bring one-on-one care to your home. Request service or call (502) 500-8384, and we will be in touch within one business day.
