Will my health insurance cover PT, OT, SLP, and/or feeding therapy sessions at the Boston Ability Center (BAC)?

We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mass General Brigham (MGB) Health Plans (formally known as Allways Health Plans), and Tricare.  We are not in-network with MGB ACO plans. To begin services, please complete our intake paperwork so we can verify your insurance benefits. We also recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to confirm the specific coverage for your plan.

 

My insurance provider is not on your list. What happens next?

If your insurance provider is not listed, services at the BAC will be considered self-pay. You will be responsible for payment at the time of service, and we will not engage with your insurance company. However, if you wish to seek reimbursement from your insurance provider, we can provide the necessary documentation, including:

• Initial evaluation report

• Progress notes (every 8 weeks)

• Detailed receipts with industry-standard codes

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Why isn’t the BAC in network with my insurance provider?

We strive to be in-network with as many insurance providers as possible. Unfortunately, some insurance companies do not offer reimbursement rates that cover the cost of providing our services. We continue to negotiate with these providers in hopes of securing fair and sustainable rates.

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What happens during an initial evaluation?

The evaluation process varies depending on the therapy discipline. Prior to the evaluation, the clinician will review the intake form, developmental summary, and any other relevant documents (e.g., IEP or prior evaluations). During the evaluation, the clinician will discuss your child’s background and the reasons for seeking therapy. They will observe your child’s skills in a therapy room or gym and may conduct standardized testing. After the evaluation, the clinician will provide recommendations on whether therapy is beneficial for your child.

 

How many sessions will my child need?

During the initial evaluation, our clinicians work with parents and caregivers to establish both short-term and long-term therapy goals. We continuously assess progress towards these goals throughout the treatment process. If you feel your child is not progressing as expected, we will gladly work with you to adjust the goals or treatment plan accordingly.

 

How long will my child need to be on the waitlist?

The waitlist time can vary based on availability. Offering flexibility in days and times for appointments can help shorten the wait. After-school appointments (after 3 p.m.) and Saturday slots tend to be in high demand, so we encourage you to be flexible. We check our waitlist multiple times a day and will notify you as soon as an opening becomes available. You can also request to be added to the cancellation call list.

 

Will my child see the same clinician for each session?

We aim to schedule consistent appointments with the same clinician. However, there may be instances when another clinician treats your child, either due to scheduling conflicts or clinician availability. All of our clinicians are highly qualified and work collaboratively to ensure continuity of care.

 

How many appointments will my child have per week? How long is each appointment?

Typically, children are scheduled for 1-2 sessions per week, per discipline, with each session lasting 45 minutes. The initial evaluation session is 60 minutes.

 

Do parents attend therapy sessions?

Yes! We encourage parents and caregivers to be actively involved in therapy. This may include observing sessions, asking questions, and collaborating on strategies. In some cases, we may ask parents to observe in a smaller room, separate from the therapy gym. Additionally, clinicians are available for phone, email, or Zoom consultations as needed.

 

Do you keep in contact with my child’s pediatrician or other healthcare providers?

We can, with your permission. If you consent, we will send a copy of your child’s initial evaluation to their pediatrician or other healthcare providers. We can also arrange phone/Zoom meetings or collaborate via email with any members of your child’s healthcare team.

 

Do you keep in contact with my child’s teacher(s) and school team?

Yes, with your permission. We can schedule phone/Zoom meetings or email collaborations with your child’s school team. We can also conduct school observations if needed.

 

Can you recommend that my child receive therapy at school?

School-based therapy and outpatient therapy serve different purposes. For more information, check out our blog post comparing the two: School-Based Therapy "versus" Pediatric Outpatient Therapy.

 

What can I do to support my child while in therapy?

We love this question! Consistent attendance is key to progress. Additionally, supporting your child at home by following any “home exercise programs” (HEP) or weekly recommendations from your clinician can make a significant impact. Just like physical exercise, practicing skills regularly at home leads to faster progress than relying solely on weekly sessions.

 

Open communication with your clinician is essential. We strive to incorporate strategies into your child’s natural routines to make progress achievable without adding unnecessary stress. We also encourage you to stay open-minded, try new ideas, and trust the process. We care deeply about your child’s success and are here to support them every step of the way.

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Additional questions? Feel free to contact us!