Frequently Asked Questions
The world of therapy and insurance can be daunting and confusing at first. Our clinical and administrative staff is here to help and support you as you navigate through this process.
Here you will find some questions that we are asked frequently. If you do not see your question here, or if the information provided here does not fully answer your question, please contact our offices and we would be happy to talk through any questions you may have!
How do I know if my child needs an evaluation?
Typically, children are referred to our clinic by a child development professional that is trained to identify children who would benefit from services. This includes pediatricians, teachers, daycare providers, and other medical and mental health care providers who work with children. In many cases, caregivers have their own concerns about a child’s development and self-refer. We are happy to discuss your concerns with you over the phone and help direct you to the appropriate services, or schedule a screening if you are unsure.
How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule your first appointment, please contact our referral coordinator at 919-781-4434. We will take your contact and insurance information, check your insurance benefits for you, and get you scheduled for an appointment as soon as we can. Please have your insurance information handy when you call, and be prepared to give us a brief description of your concerns so that we can schedule you with the appropriate therapist.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring a copy of your insurance card and a method of payment. If you are scheduling a feeding evaluation, you may be advised to bring an assortment of foods that your child will and will not typically eat.
What should I expect at my first appointment?
Much of what to expect will depend on the type of evaluation and the age of your child. Typically, when you first arrive (10-15 minutes before your appointment start time), the receptionist will ensure you have completed your paperwork from the link sent to your email and collect your payment if one applies. Once your appointment starts, the therapist will bring you back to a treatment space, and will go over your child’s medical and developmental history with you, as well as the history of your presenting concerns. The therapist will then complete formal and/or informal assessment procedures, which may include asking you questions about your child’s symptoms, strengths, weaknesses, and behaviors. Initial evaluations typically last an hour, though additional time may be needed in some instances. Once the evaluation is complete, you will check out with our scheduling coordinator at the front desk.
What insurance do you accept?
We are pleased to be an in-network provider for every insurance company in the state of North Carolina. In addition, we provide services through Early Intervention, a state run agency that provides services to children enrolled in the Infant Toddler Program. Obtaining pre-authorization and filing of insurance claims are services provided for patients with any of the following insurance carriers:
- Aetna/Optum Health
- BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS - All plans, including Blue Value and Blue Local)
- Champ VA
- Cigna
- Coventry Health/Duke Select
- First Health
- Great West
- Healthcare Savings
- Health Net
- Medcost
- Medicaid
- NC Healthchoice
- Multiplan
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Tricare
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
- United Healthcare
- Wellpath Duke Select
If your plan is not listed above, please call our office at (919) 781-4434 for information about your plan’s access to our pediatric specialists.
Will my services be covered by insurance?
Pediatric Therapy Associates wants to be sure you have a clear understanding of your insurance benefits. Therefore, we will verify your benefits for you before your initial appointment so that you will be aware of your estimated co-pay or coinsurance, any deductibles that may apply, the number of visits allowed on your plan, and whether or not your plan requires referral or authorization from your primary care physician. Please note that estimated coverage information is provided as a courtesy to you, but is not intended to release you from your responsibility for your account balance.
We would like to reiterate that this does not guarantee that your insurance will cover the services you are receiving at Pediatric Therapy Associates. Your insurance company will determine if these charges will be covered when they receive an insurance claim from Pediatric Therapy Associates, which includes the procedure that took place in our office as well as the applicable diagnosis code(s). Please be sure to review the Explanation of Benefits form that you receive from your insurance company which will tell you if they are covering these services or not.
Our administrative staff is here to help you navigate the claims process in any way that we can, and to answer your questions along the way.
What if I don’t have insurance?
A courtesy discount rate is available in the event that you do not have insurance, your insurance company will not pay for your child’s services, and you do not have a supplemental program available through your employer.
What type of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and HSA/FSA cards. Payment is due at the time of service. Many of our families keep a card on file.
How long will treatment sessions last?
Your therapist will recommend a treatment session length based upon your child’s particular needs. Speech therapy sessions are typically 30-45 minutes, and occupational and physical therapy sessions are typically 45 minutes.
How many sessions will my child need?
Every child’s treatment plan is different. While your therapist is unlikely to be able to tell you exactly how many sessions your child will need, we strive to keep you aware of your child’s goals, progress, and prognosis throughout the treatment process.
Will we have the same therapist every time?
Once your evaluation is complete and a treatment plan is established, our administrative staff will work with you to find a recurring therapy time that works with your schedule. We typically suggest that ongoing treatment be conducted with the same therapist to encourage rapport and maximize progress in therapy; however, there are some instances in which scheduling makes this difficult, or it is in the child’s best interest to work with different therapists. Both our administrative and clinical staff will discuss this with you as your treatment plan is developed.
Can my child be seen at his or her school or daycare, or in my home?
Pediatric Therapy Associates partners with several local private schools, charter schools, preschools, and daycares to provide on-site services. Several of our clinicians also provide services at community locations through the Children’s Developmental Services Agency for children under the age of 3. To determine whether your child’s services can be accommodated through these programs, please contact us.
What education/training do your therapists have?
Our therapists have advanced degrees in their field and are all fully licensed to practice in the state of North Carolina. As a practice, we believe in evidence-based treatment methods, and we provide our clinical staff the necessary resources to obtain ongoing continuing education to stay current in their fields. Many of our therapists have obtained specialized training in specific treatment approaches or areas of specialty. For individual staff biographies, please visit the Our Team page.
Are you hiring?
Due to our growing staff and multiple locations, we often have positions available full time, part time, or PRN in the following areas: OT, PT, SLP, developmental therapy, and administration. Please don’t hesitate to inquire about employment opportunities with Pediatric Therapy Associates even if the specific opening you are looking for is not currently posted.
Do you accept graduate internship placements and volunteers?
Pediatric Therapy Associates is proud to partner with both area and national colleges and universities to provide clinical internship placements to graduate students in accredited PT, OT and SLP programs. To send an inquiry about currently available placement opportunities, please visit our Employment page.
We do have a limited availability for individuals interested in child development fields of study to volunteer with our staff to obtain experience to guide their vocational choices.
Do you work with children with literacy difficulties?
Yes! Some of our therapists are specially trained to help children who are having difficulties with reading and spelling. Please contact us for more information, and to determine the right service for your child.