DotCom Therapy, a pioneering digital health provider specializing in behavioral, speech, and occupational therapy for children, is making a significant expansion into the Medicaid market. The company recently announced plans to begin its Medicaid efforts in Wisconsin by partnering with the state’s BadgerCare Plus program. BadgerCare Plus integrates Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), offering healthcare coverage to children and adolescents aged 19 and under. This move reflects a growing trend among virtual therapy providers embracing public healthcare programs to broaden access and meet the increasing demand for pediatric teletherapy Medicaid services. DotCom Therapy’s expansion into Medicaid marks a critical step in addressing the disparities in access to quality therapy services for children covered under public insurance plans.
From Schools to Healthcare: DotCom Therapy’s Evolution
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, DotCom Therapy began its journey by serving K-12 schools with virtual therapy services designed to help students who needed behavioral, speech, or occupational therapy. As telehealth became more widely accepted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company expanded its offerings to include at-home therapy services, making it easier for families to access care without the challenges of transportation or scheduling in-person visits.
Rachel Mack Robinson, president and founder of DotCom Therapy, explained the company’s rationale for entering the Medicaid space. “Last year, when we decided to expand our service line beyond the education system into health care, it was a really obvious choice for us to engage with both commercial and Medicaid payers, to make sure that we were ensuring that everyone had access to our services, not just a select few,” she told Behavioral Health Business.
Robinson also pointed to the pandemic’s lasting influence on healthcare delivery. “We’re all coming out of the COVID pandemic with a new lens on how we can leverage telehealth,” she said. “I think a lot of health plans, including Medicaid, are starting to see the value in these services in increasing access, especially access to high-quality services.” This shift is central to the growing importance of pediatric teletherapy Medicaid programs.
Why Wisconsin and the BadgerCare Plus Program?
DotCom Therapy’s choice to start its Medicaid initiative in Wisconsin was strategic and rooted in both local loyalty and a recognition of BadgerCare Plus’s reputation. The program covers about one-third of the state’s children, making it a large and vital payer for pediatric health services.
Beyond its scale, BadgerCare Plus is considered one of the most innovative Medicaid programs in the country. It integrates services and offers flexibility that has encouraged providers to partner and pilot new care models.
“We were founded and are based out of Wisconsin and on top of that, we know BadgerCare is one of the most innovative Medicaid programs … in all the 50 states and so we really wanted to start there,” Robinson said.
This foundational partnership is just the beginning, as DotCom Therapy plans to expand into Medicaid programs in other states. Their goal is to ensure their virtual therapy services are accessible to children covered by Medicaid nationwide, thereby reducing barriers to care that often limit access for low-income families. This expansion will increase the reach and impact of pediatric teletherapy Medicaid across the country.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Pediatric Mental Health Services
While telehealth services have surged over the past few years, especially due to the pandemic, children covered by Medicaid have faced a troubling decline in access to mental health services. A preliminary utilization data report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reveals that children under 19 receiving Medicaid had about 23% fewer mental health services than before the pandemic.
This drop reflects ongoing challenges in Medicaid pediatric service delivery, including reimbursement rates that many providers find insufficient and cumbersome administrative requirements that discourage participation.
Dr. Andrey Ostrovsky, former Chief Medical Officer for the U.S. Medicaid Program and an advisor to DotCom Therapy, noted these difficulties. “There are a lot of factors that have probably prevented other pediatric teletherapy companies from accepting Medicaid – from reimbursement rates to administrative red tape. But in the end, real innovators with a mission and focus will find ways to sustainably deliver care to kids.”
DotCom Therapy’s willingness to engage with Medicaid despite these challenges highlights its commitment to ensuring equitable access to care and demonstrates a new wave of innovation in Medicaid provider participation. Their efforts are directly aimed at improving the availability of pediatric teletherapy Medicaid services where they are most needed.
The Impact of Telehealth on Pediatric Therapy Access
The COVID-19 pandemic forced healthcare systems worldwide to adapt quickly, and telehealth emerged as an essential tool in maintaining access to care while minimizing exposure risks. For pediatric therapy, telehealth offers several advantages:
- Increased access: Teletherapy removes geographical barriers, allowing children in rural or underserved areas to receive expert care.
- Convenience for families: Virtual sessions eliminate travel time and allow therapy to fit more seamlessly into daily routines.
- Continuity of care: Especially during times of disruption, telehealth helps maintain consistent therapy schedules.
- Specialized services: Telehealth can connect children with specialized therapists who might not be available locally.
DotCom Therapy’s expansion into Medicaid is part of a broader recognition by health plans and states that telehealth can play a vital role in closing gaps in pediatric healthcare access. The increasing acceptance of pediatric teletherapy Medicaid services is helping bridge the gap for underserved children.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Innovation to Reach More Children
DotCom Therapy’s initial foray into Wisconsin’s Medicaid market through BadgerCare Plus is a promising start. By leveraging its teletherapy platform and experience with commercial payers and education systems, the company is well-positioned to address longstanding access issues in public health programs.
The company’s long-term vision includes partnering with other state Medicaid programs to replicate the Wisconsin model, making behavioral, speech, and occupational therapy available to more children across the country regardless of their insurance status.
As Medicaid programs increasingly embrace telehealth, and as providers like DotCom Therapy navigate reimbursement and regulatory challenges, the future holds promise for more equitable and comprehensive access to pediatric therapy services. The rise of pediatric teletherapy Medicaid initiatives will be key to ensuring every child can receive the care they need.
DotCom Therapy’s expansion into the Medicaid market represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of pediatric healthcare delivery. It illustrates how innovation, driven by a mission to serve all children, can overcome systemic challenges and transform the accessibility of essential therapy services. For families, providers, and policymakers alike, this development offers hope for a future where quality pediatric teletherapy Medicaid services are within reach for every child who needs them.
