General Health FAQ
Clinic FAQ
Insurance FAQ
Additional Information for Singers
If something is bothering me/hurting when I play or dance, where can I go for help?
You may request an advisement session appointment by walking in during open hours or email the Peabody Clinic for an advisement session.
If you need a physical therapy or occupational therapy evaluation, you may call the Peabody Clinic at 443-997-5476 to schedule an appointment (see clinic FAQ) or through MyChart.
If you are on Peabody’s student health insurance plan you do not NEED a referral to be seen by occupational or physical therapy. However, your deductible (the amount you need to pay before your insurance will pay) will be lower if you have a referral. If you do not have a referral you will pay a $150 deductible before the insurance will pay. If you do have a referral you will pay a $75 deductible before the insurance will pay.
If you have health insurance through Peabody, please call the Student Health and Wellness Center at 410-516-8270 if you want a primary care/specialist evaluation or want a referral from your primary care provider for physical therapy or occupational therapy.
If you are on another insurance plan, contact your primary care physician/specialist for an evaluation or a referral for physical therapy or occupational therapy. Your healthcare plan may require a referral from a primary care provider for physical or occupational therapy.
If I am sick, where can I go for help?
If you are sick you should go to the Student Health and Wellness Center, urgent care, or your doctor’s office. To make an appointment with the Student Health and Wellness Center call 410-516-8270 or visit their website. It is located on the Homewood campus.
Click here for all COVID-19-related health matters.
What is the Peabody Clinic? What types of things does the clinic treat?
The Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Network Clinic for Performing Artists (i.e.: The Peabody Clinic) is an outpatient physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) clinic that is a part of the Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. It is staffed by physical and occupational therapists who specialize in treating performing artists.
Physical and occupational therapists can evaluate and treat a variety of conditions affecting your ability to practice and perform. We can evaluate pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, injuries, and postural problems to determine if they are appropriate for treatment at the clinic. Examples of injuries we may treat include tendonitis, bursitis, back pain, knee pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, wrist or hand pain, ankle or foot pain, sprains, and strains.
What does the Peabody Clinic NOT treat?
Coughs, colds, flu, viruses, sore throat, cuts, burns, broken bones, nausea, vomiting, emergencies. The Peabody Clinic does not treat or test for COVID-19.
Where is the Peabody Clinic? When is it open?
The Peabody Clinic is located on campus in the Peabody Wellness Center on the first floor. The clinic is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1:00-5:00 pm ET and 8:00 am-5:00 pm ET Wednesday and Friday. While the hours may be limited at this location, clinicians who treat at the Peabody Clinic are available for in-person appointments at other JHRN locations.
What is the difference between an advisement session and an evaluation?
An advisement session is a brief conversation to facilitate the navigation of care options based on the student’s complaint or injury. Medical intervention will not be provided. This service is provided free of charge. At an advisement session clinic staff may recommend a PT or OT evaluation. Advisement sessions can be scheduled by walking into the clinic or email [email protected].
An evaluation is a scheduled 60-minute one on one session with a PT or OT who will gather information about your past medical history, your current injury, and your ability to perform. They will formally evaluate your current injury or complaint, establish a treatment plan to help you return to your full participation level, and/or refer you for further medical evaluation, if appropriate. Evaluations and treatments will be billed to the patient’s insurance.
Do I need to have an advisement session to make an appointment for an evaluation?
No.
What should I bring to an advisement session?
You should bring your insurance card/information (see insurance FAQ below).
What should I bring to an initial evaluation?
You will need your insurance card/information, photo id, completed paperwork (if provided to you in advance), and clothing that allows your injured body part to be comfortably moved and/or exposed. You will need to wear a mask.
How often do I need to go to PT or OT?
Many PT and OT treatments require appointments 1 or 2 times a week for 4-8 weeks. However, this will vary depending on your injury or complaint.
What information do I need to make an appointment?
You will need your insurance information, your mailing address and phone number, the name of the person who you get your insurance through (this may be yourself, your parent, or your spouse), and their contact information. If required by your insurance, you may need information from the healthcare provider who is referring you for PT/OT.
How do I make an appointment for physical or occupational therapy? How long will it take to get an appointment?
To make an appointment for PT or OT call the scheduling line at 443-997-5476. Alternately you may schedule on MyChart. If you are having difficulty making an appointment, email the clinic manager at [email protected]. How long it will take to get an appointment may vary based on how busy the clinic is, but appointments are generally available within the week.
Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
You may need a referral from your primary care doctor, the Student Health and Wellness Center, or another physician if your insurance requires it. You should call your insurance company (phone number on your card) and ask if you require a referral for physical or occupational therapy. You may also call Charlene Kemp at 667-208-6700 for assistance in determining if you need a referral.
How much will it cost?
The cost of your PT/OT appointments varies depending on the treatments you receive and your insurance coverage. A typical first visit is $275-$300 and a typical follow up visit is $200-$250. Your insurance most likely pays for a portion or all of this cost (see insurance FAQ).
If I have to see a primary care provider at the Student Health and Wellness Center, how do I make an appointment? Where is it?
To make an appointment with the Student Health and Wellness Center call 410-516-8270. It is located on the Homewood campus.
What if I need to be referred to other specialists? How will I get an appointment?
If your physical or occupational therapist recommends that you see another specialist, they will provide you with the name of other specialists they work with. If you need assistance with finding a performing arts provider in your area, feel free to contact the Peabody Clinic. It is your choice to see whatever medical specialist you choose. You are not required to see the specialist recommended to you. To make an appointment with another medical specialist, call the scheduling number for the specialist you choose to see. You will be responsible for obtaining the location of the medical specialist and arranging transportation to their office.
Where do I get a copy of my insurance card?
Your insurance company provides you with your insurance card. If you do not have a copy, check with the person who pays for your insurance (parent/guardian/spouse). Have them take a photo of both sides of the card and text or email it to you.
If I am on Peabody’s student health insurance where do I get my insurance information?
You can find your Peabody student insurance information in the Student Information System (SIS). Please print this out and bring it with you to your appointment if you have access to a printer.
Why do I need a copy of my insurance card?
Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Network requires a copy of your insurance card in order to verify that you have insurance benefits that will cover your physical/occupational therapy treatments.
What does it mean to verify my insurance?
You can call the phone number on your insurance card to check if you have insurance coverage for a specific treatment and to find out how much coverage you have (how many visits per year are allowed, etc).
Who will verify my insurance?
A healthcare provider’s office will often verify insurance for a patient in advance of their appointment, however the patient is responsible for understanding if they have insurance coverage that will pay for the services or treatment. The Peabody clinic will verify your insurance before your initial evaluation and discuss your coverage with you.
If my insurance does not cover a treatment what happens?
You will get a bill for the cost of the services.
What is a deductible?
This is the amount of money that you need to pay towards your healthcare services before your insurance company will begin paying for services. For example, let’s say your insurance pays for 100% of services but you have a $150 deductible. If your first visit costs $300, you will get a bill for $150 and then your insurance will cover the rest. This may vary if you see an in-network or out of network provider and may vary based on the services you are receiving. Your deductible may be based on the calendar year (you will have a new deductible January 1 of each year) or a “plan year” (you will have a new deductible on the date your insurance renews for another year).
What is a co-pay?
This is a set dollar amount that your insurance requires you pay for each visit of a certain type. For example, if you have a $30 copay for physical therapy, you will be charged $30 for each physical therapy visit (after you pay a deductible, if required) and your insurance will pay for the rest of your visit costs.
What is co-insurance?
This is a percentage of the cost of a healthcare treatment that your insurance will pay and you will be responsible for the rest. For example, if you have a 90% co-insurance for occupational therapy, your insurance company will pay for 90% of the cost of the visit (after you pay a deductible, if required), and you will be billed for 10% of the cost of the visit.
What is an out of pocket maximum?
The most you have to pay for covered services in an insurance plan year. After you spend this amount on deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, your health plan pays 100% of the costs of covered benefits.
What is a referral?
A prescription is a written intent for you to receive physical or occupational therapy given to you by your doctor. An insurance referral is a form that is required by some insurance companies.
Do I need a referral?
This depends on your insurance company. If your insurance requires a referral, then you will not be able to be seen without a referral, because your insurance may not pay for it.
If I am on Peabody’s student health insurance, do I need a referral? Is my deductible lower if I have a referral?
If you are on Peabody’s student health insurance you do not NEED a referral to be seen by occupational or physical therapy, however your deductible (the amount you need to pay before your insurance will pay) will be lower if you have a referral. If you do not have a referral you will pay a $150 deductible before the insurance will pay. If you do have a referral you will pay a $75 deductible before the insurance will pay.
Who can give me a referral?
Your primary care provider, the Student Health and Wellness Center, an orthopedic or sports medicine doctor, or an urgent care facility may give you a referral for physical or occupational therapy.
What is in-network or out of network?
Your insurance company may have a network of healthcare providers who they have a special contract with considered “in-network” providers. If a provider is not in the network your insurance company may not pay for treatment with that provider or may pay less than they would if you saw an in-network provider.
What are out of network benefits?
Out of network benefits mean whether or not your insurance company will pay for you to see a provider who is not in their network.
If I have out of network benefits can I see a provider who is not in the network?
Yes, however it will likely cost more for you out of pocket than if you saw a provider who is in the network. In some instances you will be required to pay for the treatment at the time of the visit and submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
If I do not have out of network benefits can I see a provider who is not in the network?
Yes, however you will be responsible for 100% of the costs of the visit. Your insurance company will not pay for your visits.
How do I find out if a healthcare provider is in my insurance network?
Call the phone number on the back of your insurance card, or visit the website for your insurance company and search for the provider you are interested in seeing. Speaking to someone in the office of the provider you are interested in seeing may also help you find out if they are in network with your provider.
How do I schedule a visit to the Voice Center?
The Johns Hopkins Voice Center at GBMC’s phone number is 443-849-2087.
What do I do if I need a referral for my visit to the Voice Center?
If your insurance plan requires a referral (some do; some don’t), then you’ll need to work with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) to obtain this. If you had a prior screening exam at the JH Voice Center at GBMC and a follow-up visit had been recommended to you, then you will have received a piece of paper at the time of the screening that indicates that a formal visit was recommended – bringing this paper to your PCP should help to obtain the referral.
What results will be shared with me after my visit? Will these be shared with anyone else?
At the time of the visit, you’ll likely have a videostroboscopy done – an examination of your larynx while speaking and singing to look at vocal fold motion, closure, and vibration. After the visit is complete, a physician’s progress note and a speech language pathology note will be written. The exam and progress notes are part of your medical record, and are Protected Health Information (PHI) – they will be shared with you and your referring physician, but no one else. If you wish to share this information with anyone else (for instance, your studio teacher, any voice coaches, etc.) then that is up to you. You can take a video or picture of your exam findings off of our monitor to take with you at the time of your visit.
What if I can’t afford a visit to the Voice Center?
Peabody may have some funds available to help with the cost of a visit – please reach out to your teacher or the Voice/Opera department chair. GBMC also has a mechanism that can sometimes help under-insured patients to cover expenses – you can ask the Voice Center about this if you need more information.