Many times when someone calls, the first question they ask is “Do you take our insurance?”, which is sad, because the first question really should be, “What kind of therapy do you provide and are you the best place to help my child?”. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go to the BEST clinic for your child and see the BEST therapists, and insurance would cover wherever you chose? Here are some tips to help get some, maybe all, fees covered:
What is your copay rate?
I have found that copays are close to and sometimes even higher than my private pay rate. Ask your insurance company before you start looking around what your copays would be so you can compare.
Out of Network Benefits
Some insurance plans cover therapy providers out of network at a different rate. We would provide you a “Superbill” which is an itemized statement for each visit with costs, diagnosis codes, and treatment codes in the format to submit that to your insurance company. You need to call your insurance company to find out if your plan has this option.
Out of Network Exceptions
I am PROMPT certified and currently there is no other provider within a 120 mile radius that has the same certification. I am also LAMP certified with very few providers in the same radius. Because of these specialized certifications, you can call your insurance company and ask for an out of network exception to get therapy covered. We can provide a letter and proof of why your child needs to come to OUR clinic. In addition, many other clinics have long wait lists which is another reason for an exception.
HSA and HRA account
You can use HRA and HSA accounts to cover speech and occupational therapy.
Scholarship and Grants
You can apply for scholarships and grants to pay for therapy. Here are some popular ones:
United Healthcare http://www.sertomacenter.org/united-healthcare-grants-for-k/
The Orange Effect Foundation: http://theorangeeffect.org/grant-application/
Small Steps in Speech http://www.smallstepsinspeech.org
Gardiner Scholarship- https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/special-needs/how-the-scholarship-works/
Special Kids Therapy- http://www.specialkidstherapy.org
Pick the BEST place for your child to go to therapy. Going somewhere just because they take your insurance, can lead to poor results and a waste of time.