Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions do you treat at the STAR Institute Treatment Center? 

  • STAR specializes in occupational therapy with a relationship, engagement, and sensory integration approach for children and adults with sensory differences, commonly called Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). 

    We also treat ADHD, auditory processing disorders, autistic spectrum, and other disorders which include a sensory component. 

Where are you located? Do you provide telehealth services outside of Colorado? 

  • STAR Institute is located in Centennial, CO. Because of the nature of our services, we primarily offer therapy in our clinic.  

What to Expect (Expected Process)

  • Fill out Inquiry Form.

  • You will receive an email from STAR Institute with instructions to log in to Insync (our online portal) and complete preliminary forms (2-3 business days). 

  • Once forms are completed, STAR will call to schedule a no-cost intake call. 

  • Your intake call with a clinician is used to review history, learn more about the client, family, etc, ask any questions, and talk through next steps. This is an important step in the process of determining personalized recommendations. Please plan for up to 1 hour for this conversation.  

  • The clinician will send an email with program recommendations and information about how to schedule your evaluation and/or program.  

  • Call or email scheduling with the option you would like to pursue.

  • You will work with STAR to build a schedule and pay the necessary deposits.  

  • The start of your program will begin with an in-clinic evaluation, followed by individual therapy and education sessions.

What should I expect during my no-cost intake call? 

  • This conversation centers on the history of the child/client and their family, with a specific focus on sensory integration and processing. We will ask specific questions about Sensory Integration and Processing (SIP) to identify how it contributes to the challenges the client is currently facing. This is also an opportunity for you to inquire about STAR’s process, enabling us to tailor recommendations for next steps or provide referrals to other resources if STAR is not the best fit.

What happens during the evaluation? 

  • STAR’s evaluation process involves a combination of standardized assessments, observation, and conversations with the client and/or parents and caregivers. Based off this thorough evaluation, the occupational therapist will send a detailed evaluation report that can be used to better understand the client’s unique sensory needs, provide insight into recommended supports, etc.  

Pricing and Insurance 

  • Does STAR accept insurance? 

    • STAR Institute is an out-of-network/fee-for-service provider, but some insurance plans do provide out-of-network reimbursement coverage directly back to you. If your insurance does provide reimbursement, we do provide complimentary billing submissions directly to your insurance provider on your behalf. The client is still responsible to pay out-of-pocket for initial costs.  

  • How much does it cost to come to STAR? 

    • Because STAR is committed to providing the best individualized care, the total fee for services can vary. The best way to understand the financial commitment is to schedule a no-cost intake call to receive a customized estimate. Please note that individual therapy services begin at $230/hour.  

  • What funding options are available? 

    • STAR offers a discount for pre-paid services. If you would prefer to pay-per-session, that it also available. STAR’s policy does require full payment before any service is conducted.  

    • If you are in Colorado and connected with your local Community Center Board, please talk to your case manager/service coordinator for available funding. 

    • STAR does provide services on a sliding scale for individuals and families with financial need. STAR’s sliding scale is based on income, family circumstances, and availability of funding from the generosity of donors. Please reach out to our team for more information. 

  • Do you accept Medicaid?

Forms 

  • Why are there so many forms to fill out before I am seen? 

    • We understand that there are a lot of forms and information to fill out when starting your journey with STAR Institute. While it may feel like an overwhelming or daunting task, the information you share with STAR is very important to understand your unique situation, profile, strengths and areas of need. Because of the complexity of our bodies, brains, and sensory systems, it is vital to have as much information as possible to provide the best therapy and support. If you are not able to complete the paperwork on your own please reach out to STAR and we will present other options to obtain the information.  

  • What are the credentials of the therapists? 

    • All of STAR’s clinical staff are trained and licensed in their specific field. In addition to these credentials, STAR therapists have advanced training in Sensory Integration, DIR/Floortime, etc.  

STAR Resources 

Treatment Near Me 

  • STAR Institute is located in Centennial, CO. While many people decide to travel to Colorado for a therapy program, we understand that this is not feasible for everyone. We have a directory of people who have contacted STAR to be added to our list; many of them have participated in professional education and training with STAR Institute, however, we do not have any requirements for someone to be listed. Please note that STAR does not endorse anyone on this list, instead, it can be used as a tool to find a local clinician with experience in sensory integration. STAR’s Treatment Directory can be found here. 

  • We recommend using the "Choosing an OT" resource as you contact those in your area. 

Is STAR just for kids? 

  • No! STAR Institute provides therapy and educational services to all ages.  

At what age do you start therapy with clients? 

  • Our clients range from infants to grandparents. With disordered Sensory Processing (SPD) and other neurodivergent diagnoses, early intervention is helpful but not a prerequisite to therapy and care. 

Do you have specialties? 

  • STAR Institute specializes in occupational therapy for a variety of disorders with a sensory component. All of our therapists have advanced training and experience in specialized fields of sensory therapy including: 

    • Diagnostic evaluation (SIPT, MAP, M-Fun, and many other scales) 

    • Sensory over-reactivity, sensory under-reactivity, and sensory craving 

    • Fine and gross motor development 

    • Emotional dysregulation 

    • Speech disorders and language difficulties 

    • Feeding disorders 

    • Social skills problems 

    • Handwriting problems 

    • Self care difficulties (sleep, dressing, toileting, etc.) 

Groups 

  • STAR offers a wide variety of therapeutic groups throughout the year for children and teens. To find out about current offerings, fees, funding opportunities, and more, please use the navigation areas on the top of our webpage and go to: Treatment > Groups & Programs > and select your group of choice.  

  • STAR groups offer a wide variety of topics and skills, but all groups work on supporting sensory health, regulation, and relationships.  

FAQs for Medicaid Families

What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? Why doesn’t STAR accept Medicare? 

  • STAR is a Colorado Medicaid-approved provider. We cannot accept Medicare at our facility.  

    • Medicaid is a state-federal joint program administered by the state (known as Health First Colorado in CO) and is designed for people of all ages with limited financial resources.  

    • Medicare is a federal program that is generally for people who are 65 & older, or who have a qualifying disability 

  • STAR is committed to addressing health equity by ensuring access to quality healthcare for all individuals. Accepting Medicaid (Health First Colorado) is our first step in this journey, as it allows us to serve a diverse population with varying socioeconomic backgrounds. While we currently do not have the resources to accept Medicare, we are actively taking steps to broaden our scope and accept a variety of services in the future. By expanding our network and accessibility, we aim to increase access to care and promote health equity within our community. 

Expected Process 

  • Fill out Inquiry Form 

  • Receive confirmation email from STAR Institute and be added to Medicaid waitlist. Our average wait time is approximately 6 months, however, wait times may vary.  

  • Once your name has come to the top of the waitlist you will be contacted via email to begin the process for services. 

  • STAR will share a referral form with you that needs to be completed by your primary care physician and returned to start services. 

  • Additionally, you will receive log-in access to Insync (our online portal) to complete additional forms and consents.  

  • Once approved, you will receive a phone call from STAR Institute to schedule your evaluation and begin services. 

Resources While You Wait 

Here are some great resources to learn more about sensory integration differences and how sensory processing impacts daily living.  

Additionally, STAR partners with community organizations that provide a variety of services and supports for individuals with sensory processing differences. Check out some of the groups here:

  • The Sensory Club - The Sensory Club is an open-gym concept that features various therapeutic swings, a jumping island, a rainbow acrobat, monkey bars, rock climbing wall, cargo nets, crash pads, heavy cubes, a self-cleaning sanitary ball pit and more. 

  • Autism Community Store - The Autism Community Store is located in Aurora, CO and is not just specializing in products for the autistic community, but is also dedicated to providing resources, education, awareness, and social groups. 

  • Community Center Boards 

What is a CES Waiver? 

  • CES stands for Children’s Extensive Support Waiver. It is designed to support children with a developmental disability establish a long-term foundation for community inclusion as they grow into adult. You can find out more about who qualifies, what services are covered, and more here.

What is CHP+? Why does STAR not accept CHP+? 

  • Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is a public low-cost health insurance for certain children and pregnant women. It is for people who earn too much to qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), but not enough to pay for private health insurance. You can find more information here.  

  • STAR is not an approved provider with CHP+. Therefore, we cannot accept clients with CHP+ as they have access to approved providers within their network. To find a provider that accepts CHP+, you may go to Colorado Medicaid’s Provider Directory and filter by your insurance. While doing this, we recommend using our webpage "CHOOSING AN OT" to help with asking questions and things to look for as you look for a sensory informed therapist. 

Why can I not come with Medicare and pay out-of-pocket? 

  • Similar to CHP+, STAR is not an approved Medicare provider. Therefore, we cannot accept clients with Medicare as they have access to approved providers within their network.