Compare 620 physical therapists in Madison, WI. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
620
Physical Therapists
100%
Accepting patients
50%
Most common: DPT
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Madison is a college town with academic medical center resources that punch well above its size. UW Health dominates the local market, and the population is younger, more educated, and more health-engaged than most comparably sized cities. The result is a healthcare environment where preventive care and wellness are the norm, not the exception.
Madison has 620 physical therapists. The most common credential is DPT (50%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown (Capitol Square), Williamson Street (Willy Street), Monroe Street, and Hilldale.
UW Health University Hospital sits on the west side of the isthmus near the UW-Madison campus. SSM Health St. Mary's is on the south side, and Meriter Hospital (UnityPoint) is centrally located near the Capitol. Most medical offices cluster along University Avenue, the Beltline Highway corridor, and the west side near the hospital. Parking at UW Hospital can be tight, so use the shuttle from the garage on Highland Avenue.
Nearby hospitals include UW Health University Hospital, SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, and Meriter Hospital (UnityPoint Health). Local training programs run through University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison is consistently ranked among the healthiest cities in the US due to high physical activity rates and healthcare access.
Quartz (formerly Physicians Plus), affiliated with UW Health, and Dean Health Plan are the dominant local carriers. Group Health Cooperative also serves the Madison market. National carriers like UnitedHealthcare and Anthem have less market share here than in Milwaukee. BadgerCare Plus enrollment is lower in Dane County than in most Wisconsin counties, reflecting the area's higher employment and income levels. 15% accept Medicare.
The first visit (about 45 to 60 minutes) includes a thorough evaluation of your movement, strength, flexibility, and pain. Your PT will ask about your daily activities and goals. They will put together a treatment plan with exercises and hands-on techniques, and teach you what to do at home between visits. Follow-up sessions are typically two to three times per week.
Physical therapy in Madison benefits from the university's sports medicine expertise. Clinics near the UW campus and along the Beltline specialize in running, cycling, and winter sport injuries. UW Health Sports Medicine on Research Park Boulevard is one of the largest outpatient rehab facilities in the area.
See a physical therapist for back or neck pain, joint pain, recovery after surgery (knee replacement, ACL repair, rotator cuff), sports injuries, balance problems or fall prevention, chronic pain, reduced mobility, or any musculoskeletal condition your doctor recommends therapy for. In most states, you can see a PT directly without a doctor's referral.
Session copay: $20-75 · Session (out-of-pocket): $75-200 · Initial evaluation: $100-250
Cycling is a primary mode of transportation in Madison, and bike-related injuries keep orthopedic and PT practices busy from April through October. Ice-related falls take over as the top injury driver in winter months.
After joint replacement, ACL repair, rotator cuff surgery, or other procedures, physical therapy is essential for regaining strength, range of motion, and function.
Physical therapists design sport-specific rehabilitation programs that get you back to your activity safely and help you prevent the same injury from recurring.
Physical therapists use manual therapy, targeted exercises, and movement education to treat back and neck pain at its root cause rather than masking symptoms.
Balance training reduces fall risk in older adults and people with neurological conditions. Physical therapists assess your balance, identify deficits, and build a program to improve stability.
Joint pain often responds to targeted exercise and manual therapy before surgery becomes necessary. Physical therapists strengthen the muscles that support the joint and improve how it moves.
Madison, WI has 620 licensed physical therapists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of physical therapists in Madison, WI are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Wisconsin residents enroll through HealthCare.gov for ACA marketplace plans. In Dane County, options include Quartz (affiliated with UW Health), Dean Health Plan, and Group Health Cooperative. BadgerCare Plus covers Medicaid-eligible residents. Many Madison employers offer Quartz or Dean plans that include the UW Health network.
Session copays range from $20 to $75. Out-of-pocket sessions cost $75 to $200 each. An initial evaluation runs $100 to $250. Actual costs in Madison, WI depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Many plans cap the number of covered sessions per year, commonly 20 to 60. Ask your PT's office to verify your specific benefit limits and any authorization requirements before starting.
UW Health is the dominant system in Madison, operating the university hospital, dozens of clinics, and the American Family Children's Hospital. SSM Health and UnityPoint (Meriter) offer alternatives. For most specialty care, UW Health will be the primary option. If your insurance does not include UW Health, SSM and Meriter cover a wide range of primary and acute care needs.
DPT stands for Doctor of Physical Therapy and PT stands for Physical Therapist. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Madison, WI, 50% hold the DPT credential and 32% hold PT. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
15% of physical therapists in Madison, WI accept Medicare. Medicare covers physical therapy when medically necessary. There is no hard annual cap, but a threshold amount triggers additional documentation requirements. Your therapist will handle the paperwork. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
UW Health is the largest and most comprehensive system, but SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital and UnityPoint Health-Meriter both operate in Madison. For complex specialty care, oncology, and transplants, UW Health is typically the referral destination. Primary care and many surgical procedures are available at all three systems.
Madison has a relatively strong supply of therapists compared to most cities its size. UW Health Behavioral Health, Journey Mental Health Center, and many private practices accept new patients. Check whether your plan includes Quartz or Dean network providers, as that will determine your in-network options.
Top accepted carriers in Madison, WI include medicare, unitedhealthcare, hcsc, qhp-44228, and qhp-38166.
Most health insurance plans cover physical therapy with a copay per session, typically $20 to $75. Many plans limit the number of covered sessions per year (commonly 20 to 60). Some require prior authorization or a doctor's referral for coverage. Ask your PT's office to verify your benefits before starting, including any visit caps or annual limits.