Frequently Asked Questions

What Insurances Do You Accept?
  • Florida Medicaid/Healthy Kids: Sunshine, CMS, Simply, Humana Medicaid, Coventry, Aetna Better Health
  • Commercial: Aetna, UHC, Humana
  • Out-of-Network (upfront payment required): Florida Blue, Tricare
  • Private Pay: We take the Florida Empowerment Scholarship and HSA/FSA cards. We also take cash, check, or card payments.
Where are you located?

Clearwater, New Port Richey, and coming soon to Town and Country near Bayside.

Do I need a referral?

Yes! It is preferred for all patients. Commercial plans may be scheduled without one. Medicaid is required to have one and Humana needs a script and authorization from their doctor.

Is your texting system HIPAA Compliant Texting?

Yes, send texts and documents to 813-435-3355.

How do I know my appointment is confirmed?

We’ll text you after verifying insurance and referral.

How do I make a payment?

We’ll send a link via text.

How do I communicate with the office?

All scheduling and billing is handled via phone and text. This keeps therapy sessions focused on treatment. Payments are automatic through saved card info. Scheduling links are provided for convenience.

What is your attendance policy?

We value your commitment to therapy. No-shows are assumed as discontinuation of service. Same-day cancellations aren’t allowed, but you can reschedule within a week or opt for teletherapy. A $50 fee applies if unable to reschedule. Three same-day cancellations in 6 months will result in removal from the schedule.

Why so strict?

We’re balancing running a business, paying our therapists, and ensuring your child meets their goals. We aim to keep accepting your insurance and serving our community effectively.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in making therapy a priority.

Can you diagnose a tongue tie?

No! We can refer based on symptoms but only an ENT or tongue tie specialized dentist can diagnose a tongue tie.

Do I need to pay for any other materials?

We provide basic orofacial myofunctional tools, however we may recommend other tools that may help progress but are not required.

Do I need to bring in my own food for feeding therapy/evaluations?

Yes. We have a limited food repertoire at the office, and also are cautious of food sensitivities and allergies.

How long will my child be in therapy?

Great question! Your therapist will discuss this during the initial evaluation, but here’s our general approach: We believe in shorter, highly effective episodes of care. You’ll know your child’s goals clearly and have a defined end date. Therapy isn’t meant to be forever – our aim is to give you tools to continue progress at home.

Let’s take the ‘r’ sound as an example. After several months of therapy, your child will have learned all our techniques for producing this sound correctly. They’ll know how to position their tongue, shape their lips, and control their breath. At this point, continuing weekly therapy sessions becomes repetitive.

Some patients, like those with ASD, may need more help. But we still believe in breaks and ending therapy periods. Why? Because kids need to be kids! There’s always something to work on, but we believe the best thing for your child is quality time with you. They grow up fast! Often, they’ll learn better social skills at a park or build vocabulary at a children’s museum than by being in therapy twice a week for years.

Our goal is to equip you with the tools to enjoy your child and support their growth in everyday life. Let’s work together to make therapy effective, focused, and finite – so you can spend more time just being a family.

Are you working yourselves out of a job by discharging kids and adding breaks?

Not at all! The Tampa Bay Area has a high demand for quality therapy services. We pride ourselves on being leaders in our field and are grateful for referrals from happy families.

Our goal isn’t to keep patients on our schedule just to bill hours. We want to see children who are eager to come and are making real progress. Your time is valuable, and so is ours. By focusing on effective, goal-oriented therapy, we ensure that we’re always ready to help new families who need our expertise. We believe this approach actually strengthens our practice. It allows us to help more children, maintain our passion for what we do, and continue providing top-notch care to those who need it most.

Does everyone need orofacial myofunctional therapy? Is it evidenced based?

Recent research suggests that a significant portion of the population could benefit from OMT to improve breathing, sleep, attention, speech, and eating. While exact figures vary, some studies indicate that more than half of people might see positive effects from this therapy. For our patients who come to us with specific concerns, the potential benefits could be even higher.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, our field’s licensing board, now requires graduate programs to include OMT in their dysphagia (swallowing disorders) courses. This reflects the growing recognition of OMT’s importance in our field.

Many of our experienced therapists have found that incorporating OMT into their practice has led to breakthroughs they couldn’t achieve before. It often addresses underlying issues that were previously overlooked, leading to more comprehensive and effective treatment.

While OMT may not be necessary for everyone, it’s proving to be a valuable tool in addressing a wide range of speech, breathing, feding, and oral function concerns.

Do I need a speech and feeding referral for my child who needs OMT?

Yes

I highly suspect my child has Autism, what do I do?

First, let’s be clear: there’s nothing “wrong” with your child. They’re unique, and our society is becoming more accepting of neurodiversity. That said, we understand this journey can be challenging, and it’s okay to seek support. We recommend visiting our community resource page, which offers guidance on getting help for both your child and yourself. It’s also a good idea to discuss your concerns with your pediatrician, who can provide initial screening and referrals if needed. PEdiatricians cannot diagnose autism. The professionals who diagnose autism are specialized developmental pediatricians, neurologists, and neuropsychologists. Remember, early intervention can be beneficial, but it’s never too late to seek support. Throughout this process, don’t forget to take care of yourself too. We’re here to help you navigate this path and find the best ways to support your child’s unique needs and strengths.

Are you the best place for me or my child?

We’re likely a great fit for many! The best way to find out is to schedule an evaluation. This allows us to assess your or your child’s needs and provide tailored recommendations. That said, we’re always honest about our capabilities. For children who struggle with aggression or have significant difficulty following directions, a more comprehensive setting might be better. These could be clinics or schools that offer occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and behavior management all in one place.

Rest assured, if we believe another provider would be a better match, we’ll point you in the right direction. Our goal is to ensure you or your child receives the most appropriate and effective care, whether that’s with us or elsewhere. We pride ourselves on our expertise, but we also value transparency. You can count on us to give you an honest assessment of how we can help.