Physical Therapists Save 50% in Healthcare Costs — So Why Aren't They Paid Like Doctors?

Why aren’t physical therapists paid like doctors — even though the outcomes prove they should be?

In this episode of PT Pintcast, Jimmy sits down with Josh Bailey, PT, to unpack the uncomfortable truth about reimbursement, CPT codes, employer contracting, and why physical therapy keeps getting boxed into time-based billing instead of value-based care.

Josh shares:

Why early PT saves 50% of downstream costs — and why payers still ignore it
How CPT code 97110 commoditized physical therapy
The biggest diagnostic mistakes around plantar fasciitis
Why grit, effort, and reps matter more than credentials
And his mic-drop case for treating PTs like doctors — in pay, productivity, and respect

This episode is a must-listen for clinic owners, healthcare leaders, and PTs who want more than burnout and flat reimbursement.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Why PT Isn’t Paid Like Medicine

03:45 – Incentives, Insurance, and Misaligned Value

10:30 – Why CPT Codes Limit PT’s Worth

17:15 – Plantar Fasciitis: What PT School Got Wrong

26:45 – Effort, Grit, and the Path to Mastery

35:30 – Hiring for Character Over Credentials

44:50 – The Amazon Prime Lesson in Value

50:35 – Parting Shot: Treat PTs Like Doctors

🔗 Guest & Resources
Josh Bailey on LinkedIn: jbaileypt
Rehab Associates: https://rehabassociatesracva.com
PT Management Group of Virginia: https://ptmgva.com