Why Private Pay
I built Empower Kids OT outside the insurance system on purpose. My goal is to provide care that is flexible, individualized, and built around your family's real life, not the requirements of an insurance company. Private pay allows me to spend more time with your child, involve you in every step of the process, and focus on the goals that matter most to your family.
Private pay means:
• Full 60-minute sessions tailored to your child's needs
• Therapy that happens in your home, where daily life actually happens
• Parent coaching built into every session
• Freedom to focus on the goals that matter most to your family
• You and your child, not an insurance company, decide when therapy is complete
What You’re Getting
When you work with Empower Kids OT, you're getting more than a weekly therapy session. You're getting individualized support designed around your child, your family, and your real life.
• A thorough 75-minute occupational therapy evaluation (if needed) to understand your child's strengths, challenges, and goals
• A full 60-minute in-home session with Dr. Megan Matthews (OTD, OTR/L), where skills are built in the environment where they're actually needed
• Dedicated time for your child, hands-on coaching for you, and space to ask questions and get support as a parent
• Text access to Dr. Matthews between sessions for quick questions, guidance, and celebrating progress
• Individualized strategies after every session that fit naturally into your family's routines
• A parent who feels supported, informed, and confident—not just during therapy sessions, but throughout the week
Services
| Service | What's Included |
|---|---|
| Free Consultation | A 15-minute phone call to discuss what's going on, ask questions, and determine whether we're a good fit. |
| Initial Evaluation | A thorough, in-home occupational therapy evaluation built around your child's strengths, challenges, and your family's concerns. Includes a written report and personalized recommendations. |
| 60-Minute Treatment Session | One hour of in-home occupational therapy, including one-on-one time with your child, hands-on parent coaching, and dedicated time for your questions and support. |
| Between-Session Consult Call | A 30-minute phone consultation for troubleshooting challenges between sessions, discussing progress, or getting additional guidance and support. |
| 45-Minute IEP Meeting | Megan attends your child's IEP meeting to share relevant evaluation findings, collaborate with the school team, and advocate for appropriate supports and services. |
What does a session actually get you?
A session with Empower Kids OT is about far more than one hour of therapy. Because care comes to your home, there's no commute, no waiting room, and no rushing — just dedicated, individualized support built around your child, your family, and your real routines, right where daily life happens. Here's how that compares to the traditional therapy model many families are familiar with.
| Traditional Clinic Session | Empower Kids OT Session |
|---|---|
| 30-minute session in a clinic setting, often scheduled back-to-back with other appointments | 60-minute in-home session built around your child's real environment and routines |
| Parent usually waits in the lobby; brief handoff at the end | Dedicated time with you every session, including hands-on coaching and parent support |
| No contact between sessions unless you call the front desk | Text access between sessions for quick questions, guidance, or celebrating progress |
| Goals often shaped by insurance requirements or clinic protocols | Goals built around what matters most to your child and family |
| Skills practiced in a clinic environment and then generalized at home | Skills developed and practiced in the environment where your child actually lives, plays, and learns |
Insurance, Superbills, and Payment
Empower Kids OT is an out-of-network provider. I do not bill insurance directly, but many families are able to receive partial reimbursement through their out-of-network benefits.
What I Provide
After every evaluation and treatment session, you'll receive a superbill—a detailed receipt that includes the information and billing codes your insurance company may require for reimbursement.
How to Find Out What Your Plan Covers
Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask:
"What are my out-of-network benefits for pediatric occupational therapy? What is my deductible, what is my co-insurance rate, and how do I submit a superbill for reimbursement?"
If you're not sure where to start, I'm happy to talk through it with you during your free consultation.
Payment Options
I accept:
• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• HSA cards
• FSA cards
Payment is collected at the time of booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: I chose to practice outside the insurance system so I can provide the quality of care your child deserves. This allows for longer sessions, flexible scheduling, and the freedom to focus on what your child actually needs—not just what an insurance company approves. I do provide superbills after evaluations and treatment sessions, which many families submit to their insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement.
A: You do not need a referral to schedule a free consultation. If we decide that my services are a good fit for your child, I will coordinate with your child's pediatrician or other referring provider to obtain any required referral documentation and collaborate as needed to support your child's care.
A: The evaluation is a 75-minute visit in your home. I'll spend time getting to know your child, learning about your concerns and goals, observing how your child engages in everyday activities, and gathering the information needed to create a personalized treatment plan. You'll leave with a clearer understanding of what's going on and practical next steps.
A: Most families start with weekly sessions because consistency helps build momentum and allows us to make adjustments as your child grows. However, recommendations vary based on your child's needs, your goals, and your family's schedule. We'll discuss what makes the most sense after the evaluation.
A: Every child is different, but many families begin seeing meaningful progress within 8–12 consistent sessions. After the evaluation, I'll give you my recommendations and a realistic timeline based on your child's specific needs. We'll reassess regularly as we go. My goal is always to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to support your child independently, so therapy is temporary, but the skills you and your child learn can last for years.
A: Progress looks different for every child and family, and we'll talk about realistic goals during the evaluation process. I monitor progress regularly and will always be transparent about what I'm seeing. If something isn't working, we adjust. Occupational therapy should never feel like you're doing the same thing over and over while hoping for a different outcome.
A: I understand that therapy is an investment. Many families use HSA or FSA funds, and some receive partial reimbursement through their out-of-network benefits. If weekly sessions aren't the right fit financially, we can discuss options such as a biweekly schedule or coaching-focused sessions. The most important thing is finding a plan that works for your family.
A: I work with children ages 2–18 and their families. I especially love the early years, when small shifts can create big change, but I also work with older children and teens who need thoughtful, individualized support.
A: I primarily serve families throughout Onondaga County and the greater Syracuse area with in-home occupational therapy. I'm often able to serve families in other areas as well — if you're outside Onondaga County, just reach out and ask, and we'll see if we can make it work!
Ready to Talk?
You've done the research. You've read this far. That tells me you're the kind of parent who's paying attention to what your child needs and looking for the right support.
The best way to find out whether we're a good fit is a free 15-minute consultation. We'll talk about what's going on, what's been working (and what hasn't), and whether occupational therapy makes sense for your family. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just an honest conversation.
