Question 1

What is Pelvic Health Physical Therapy & Wellness?

Accepted Answer

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy is the evaluation and treatment of the neuromuscular system throughout your pelvic floor, core, and beyond. Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that run front-to-back and side-to-side along the bottom of your pelvis. Together, they serve as a hammock to help support your pelvic organs and play a key role in bladder, bowel, and sexual function. Your pelvic floor also coordinates with your diaphragm (primary breathing muscle) and core muscles in order to manage abdominal pressure at rest, when coughing/sneezing/laughing, and with exercise/exertion.

Pelvic floor dysfunction can occur throughout the lifespan and can be related to pregnancy, giving birth, conditions such as endometriosis or interstitial cystitis, hormonal changes during menopause/aging, stress, trauma, or surgery. Leaking urine, leaking stool, increased urinary urgency/frequency, pelvic organ prolapse, pain with intercourse, and low back or hip pain can result from pelvic floor muscles that are too tight, too weak, and/or lack coordination.

Pelvic Health PT can help identify the root causes of your symptoms, provide meaningful pelvic health education, and develop an individualized treatment plan to help you reach your goals!

Question 2

What does a typical session look like?

Accepted Answer

Your initial visit will include a discussion of the problem you are seeking help with, what your goals are, and a review of your medical history. We ask that you please complete the intake paperwork beforehand in order to maximize your time with the therapist during the session. The first visit will also include a comprehensive assessment of your movement patterns, strength, and flexibility, so we recommend wearing comfortable clothes. Your therapist may recommend an internal intra-vaginal evaluation on a portable exam table with clean linens (not available for Virtual Wellness Coaching sessions). This exam is performed using a gloved and lubricated index finger (no speculum) to assess the strength, coordination, and tension/tone of the pelvic floor muscles. This exam is optional and is only performed with your consent. We will then discuss all clinical exam findings and work together to develop an individualized plan for exercise regimen, behavioral modifications, and other resources and strategies to reach your goals. The first visit will conclude with scheduling of follow-up sessions and establishing accountability check-in methods as needed.

Follow-up visits will include a discussion of your current symptoms and status, further education on relevant pelvic health topics, reviewing and updating of your personalized exercise program, as well as manual techniques such as stretching or massage when indicated (in-person visits only). Visit frequency can range anywhere from weekly, monthly, or annually based on your needs and availability!

Question 3

What is the difference between your Physical Therapy vs. Wellness Coaching services?

Accepted Answer

Our In-Person Physical Therapy visits are designed for people currently experiencing pain or other pelvic floor concerns (leaking, urinary urgency/frequency, prolapse, etc.). In some cases, in-person visits may include an internal intra-vaginal exam or treatment of the pelvic floor muscles (always with consent).

Our Virtual Wellness Coaching visits are a great fit for those who currently do not have any specific pain points, injuries, or complaints, however would like to maximize their overall mobility, strength, and pelvic health through an individualized exercise program.

Both Physical Therapy and Wellness Coaching services include a comprehensive review and assessment of your medical history, movement patterns, strength, and flexibility.

In many cases, we can also perform visits for Physical Therapy virtually (both patient and clinician must be located within MA state) or Wellness Coaching in-person (within Norfolk County), which can be requested by emailing us at samantha@corecompasshealth.com.(samantha@corecompasshealth.com)

Question 4

How do I schedule an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Appointments can be booked on our 'Schedule Your Visit'(https://www.corecompasshealth.com/scheduling) page or by calling +1-617-213-0311 to schedule.

(Note: I may be working with a client and unable to answer the phone, so please leave a voicemail with your name and phone number, and I will return your call as soon as possible.)

Question 5

What is the cost and how long are the appointments?

Accepted Answer

Our rates are $175 for a 60-minute in-person visit at your home or $130 for a 45-minute virtual visit. You will receive one-on-one care with a board-certified Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in perinatal and pelvic health for the entirety of these sessions. We request that you complete all intake paperwork prior to your first visit in order to maximize time during that initial appointment. Frequency of follow-up appointments varies by patient depending on the clinical findings from the first visit, what your goals are, how you are progressing, and other factors.

Question 6

How many visits will I need?

Accepted Answer

It depends! The total number and frequency of visits differs by person depending on the clinical findings from the first visit, what your goals are, how you are progressing, and many other factors. Typically, patients will have an initial evaluation and a few follow-up visits to get started towards their goals.

Depending on what symptoms/concerns you are experiencing, patients can sometimes experience almost immediate improvement with education on certain behavior strategies/changes, however it usually takes 6-8 weeks of performing your individualized exercise program regularly to make meaningful changes in strength/flexibility and significantly improve symptoms. Frequency of visits during this time can vary based on patient needs and availability.

Question 7

How do I pay for my appointments?

Accepted Answer

Payment is due before the start of each session. In-person payments can be made by credit/debit card, HSA/FSA card, cash, or check. Virtual payments can only be made by credit/debit card or HSA/FSA card.

All card payments are processed using Square POS.

Question 8

Do I need a referral for physical therapy?

Accepted Answer

No – Massachusetts is a direct-access state, which means that a referral or prescription is not required to attend visits and receive care. However, if you are planning to use your out-of-network benefits, we recommend checking with your insurance company to confirm if they require a referral to qualify for reimbursement.

Question 9

Are Core Compass services covered by my insurance?

Accepted Answer

It depends! Core Compass LLC is an out-of-network provider, so coverage varies based on your health insurance carrier and plan. You may call the phone number for "Members" or "Members Services" listed on the back of your healthcare insurance card to check your plan's out-of-network benefits and learn how to submit a "superbill" (fancy term for medical visit receipt) for reimbursement. Be sure to ask the following questions:
 • What are my out-of-network healthcare benefits for outpatient physical therapy?
 • Is a doctor's referral required?
 • Is pre-authorization required?
 • Do I have a co-payment?
 • Do I have a deductible? What is today’s accumulation for deductible? (if applicable)
 • Timely filing – How soon after the session do I need to submit the superbill for reimbursement? How/Where do I submit the superbill for reimbursement?

If covered, you pay for the visit upfront and Core Compass would give you a superbill that you then submit to insurance for potential full/partial reimbursement. You must request your superbill in a timely manner within 6 weeks of the date of service. Core Compass does not guarantee reimbursement from your insurance, and we do not work with/communicate with your insurance company. (For reference, this mental health website is a great resource that takes you step-by-step through the benefit verification process: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/superbill/)(https://www.choosingtherapy.com/superbill/)

Medicare: Core Compass is not a Medicare-participating provider, and thus is prohibited from accepting cash from patients covered under Medicare for skilled Physical Therapy services. If you are covered under Medicare, then you are only eligible to receive our Wellness Coaching services that you would pay for directly without insurance reimbursement.

Question 10

Why is Core Compass an out-of-network provider?

Accepted Answer

We believe your care should not be limited by what your health insurance does or does not cover.

Our private-pay/out-of-network model gives both the patient and physical therapist more autonomy over the type and duration of high-quality care provided with less restriction, which ultimately improves patient satisfaction and outcomes. Moreover, you will be able to communicate with your physical therapist between visits to ask questions and receive additional education and resources outside of the traditional "billable time" model set by insurance companies.

In-network providers are often limited in number of body parts/regions that can be addressed, what preventative care can be provided, and goal-setting beyond the patient's pre-injury/pre-pregnancy baseline. Our model allows us to treat more than a single body part or diagnosis and to instead consider the entire person and their unique goals.

Question 11

What towns do you travel to for home visits?

Accepted Answer

We proudly serve the greater Norfolk County, MA, area for in-person visits. Below is a list of towns within our service area:

Avon, Bellingham, Braintree, Brookline, Canton, Cohasset, Concord, Dedham, Dover, Foxborough, Franklin, Holbrook, Lexington, Lincoln, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Milton, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Quincy, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton, Sudbury, Walpole, Waltham, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Weymouth, Wrentham

Whenever the schedule permits, we will travel outside this area to service patients for an additional travel fee. At times, patients on the outskirts of this service area may also qualify for the travel fee due to the distance from our point of origin.

Question 12

Can I still receive care if I am located outside of Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

Yes – We can work together with Virtual Wellness Coaching, which includes a complete movement assessment, exercise prescription, and pelvic health education, all from the comfort of your home!

(Please note that this service is not eligible for insurance reimbursement.)

Question 13

What is the cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Given the high demand for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy services in our community, we maintain a firm cancellation policy. You must cancel prior to 24 hours before your appointment or you will be charged a "late-cancel" fee of 50% of the session price. If you provide no cancellation notice prior to the start of the session, you will be charged a "no-show" fee of 100% of the session price. You may be discharged from physical therapy or wellness coaching services if you "no-show" and/or "late-cancel" three (3) sessions, in which case all remaining visits would be canceled. Policy exceptions include illness or true medical emergencies.

Question 14

What is your COVID-19 protocol?

Accepted Answer

Samantha Nahill, PT, DPT is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including an annual booster shot (and flu shot). A mask will be worn by your therapist throughout each session and is optional for the patient/client in accordance with the latest Massachusetts Department of Public Health requirements.(https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-mask-requirements) All treatment/exercise equipment and linens will be thoroughly sanitized in between patients.

If you are presenting with symptoms of fatigue, respiratory difficulty, fever, sweating, loss of taste or smell, or generally feel sick before your appointment, please email samantha@corecompasshealth.com to cancel and reschedule your appointment.

If someone living in your home is a positive or suspected COVID-19 carrier, please email samantha@corecompasshealth.com to either convert your existing appointment to a virtual visit or reschedule your in-person visit to a later date.

Cancellations due to COVID-19 or other illness will not be charged a "late-cancel" fee if notice is provided <24 hours, however we ask that you contact your provider at your earliest opportunity. A "no-show" fee will still apply if no notice is provided before the session start time.

You will take full responsibility for attending an in-person appointment. Core Compass LLC will not be held liable for any COVID-19 or related respiratory issues as a result of your visit.

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