Parents frequently asked questions...
Q: Is the "Anat Baniel Method for Children" covered by insurance if you work with my child in physical therapy?
A: By far this is the most common question asked of me because I'm a physical therapist. I understand it is
overwhelming to you as parents steering through insurance regulations and making big decisions of what
interventions to pursue.
I frequently utilize the work and teaching of the Anat Baniel Method for Children in my physical therapy practice. I
remind you that if I am billing insurance, I have to follow insurance regulations.
As of August 1, 2008, I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan & Aetna/PPOM part of Cofinity. I do not
participate with Blue Care Network, Health Plus, or Medicaid.
Insurance regulations require that patients who receive physical therapy meet the conditions of "medical necessity".
I would suggest contacting your insurance company for more clarification of medical necessity based on your
situation. My frame of reference of "medical necessity" is physical therapy may be necessary to improve or restore
walking, crawling, sitting, standing, falling, working with weakness, balance issues, etc.
Insurance companies has been reluctant to cover diagnosis such as autism, ADD attention deficit disorders,
hyperactivity, sensory issues, as treatable by physical therapy.
Insurance regulations also require physical therapists to show progress within a "reasonable" amount of time (most
cases every 30 days) or I'm required to discontinue treatment. This can affect patients with a diagnosis of brain
damage, genetic disorders, or brain damage. Progress is frequently not at a pace determined by insurance
regulators.
Insurance company recent trends are to limit physical therapy visits, or to deny claims because of coverage by
school based physical therapy.
Q: Do you work with a large number of infants and children billing insurance?
A. The majority of the infants and children I work with without billing insurance.
Q: I live in the Detroit, up north, or in the Grand Rapids area, do you know any practitioners you can refer me to? If
I drive up to see you can I come on the weekend?
A: Click here for a list of names of practitioners in Michigan. The frequently see out of town children on the
weekends. Contact me for available dates.
Q: My child has a specific diagnosis. Can this method help?
A: Anat Baniel's website does an excellent job of listing many diagnosis her method can benefit from. Click here for
details.
Q: My child is currently receiving physical therapy and/or occupational therapy. I want to enroll my child in this
method and see you. What recommendations do you have?
A: If you want to enroll your child in my method, I suggestion that give this method a month trial and put physical
therapy on hold (not discontinue) for 2 weeks. Consider talking with your physician and therapists and tell them that
you are taking a break to try a different approach. Then I recommend your child receive 2-6 lessons as close
together as possible. After the initial 2-6 lessons, assess the change, and go on from there with your decision.
Q: If I enroll my child in this method and see you, how many lessons should I get for my child?
A: I recommend get 6 lessons as close together as possible. That is the consensus Anat Baniel recommends
based on her years of experience. This captures the potency of learning and sets up for the quickest changes. If
you can not come for 6 sessions, that is fine. But a fair assessment of this method is 6 consecutive sessions.
Q: After my child sees you, what do you recommend is the optimal way to get lessons?
A: The optimal way to maximize this method is to get the lessons as close together, as possible. I define "close
together" as twice/day, daily, consecutive days. Then take a break, a month or longer off to integrate the learning.
Learning is maximized this way.
Q: If I enroll my child in this method and see you, what are the goals to this method?
A: This method certainly has goals. I think parents and practitioners are in agreement that the goals of working with
your child are obtain a function like walking, sitting, up, standing, etc. The goals are the motives why you the
parents sought out and enrolled their child in this method. But when I actually give a lesson, I am not directly
chasing a specific goal or outcome.
The Anat Baniel Method(sm) and the Anat Baniel Method for Children(sm) are service marks of Anat Baniel.
Feldenkrais®, and Feldenkrais® Practitioner are registered service marks of the FELDENKRAIS GUILD® of North
America.
This method is considered a learning approach, not medical treatment. If you are seeking medical advice, consult
with your physician.