Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Below you’ll find a variety of frequently asked questions for Dr. Laura Meihofer and her practice. If you don’t see an answer to your question on this page, feel free to email [email protected] or visit the contact page. There, you can send questions about pelvic floor therapy, intensive physical therapy services, in-home services, referrals, or *mentoring.
*Dr. Laura Meihofer is available to the professional community for mentoring, consulting, speaking engagements, interviews, collaborations and brand partnerships.
General Questions
Why Choose Dr. Laura Meihofer? What makes her different from other providers?
Dr. Laura Meihofer has spent her entire training and career focused on studying the human body and further honing her skills to just focus on the pelvic floor. She not only has taken over 600 hours of continuing education that is only pelvic floor focused, but she also teaches other physical therapists how to care for pelvic floor patients.
Additionally, Dr. Meihofer personally has over 100 5-star google reviews between her 3 clinic locations, and countless patients that have returned to doing the activities they love without symptoms. If you are wondering how Dr. Meihofer can help you, book the free discovery call to discuss more!
Is Dr. Meihofer accepting new patients?
Yes, if you are interested in starting pelvic floor physical therapy services, you can simply book a free discovery call or inquire through the contact page! New patient initial consultations are typically available within 1 week.
Who do you treat / are your services LGBTQ+ friendly?
Everyone! Dr. Meihofer proudly offers services to all gender identities, sexualities, and friends in the trans community.
Where do you provide services?
Dr. Meihofer provides services at a few locations in Minnesota. You can find her in Rochester or Wayzata! Telehealth services are also available. For more details on locations, please visit the locations page.
What is a discovery call?
The free discovery call appointment is an opportunity for you to speak directly with Dr. Meihofer during an allotted time, and share any concerns, conditions, and goals. It is a chance to ask about her practice, see if she has experience with your problem, and generally see how she can help.
What is a movement screen?
A movement screen is an in-person opportunity for you to meet Dr. Meihofer, share what you are struggling with, and allow her to briefly screen your area of concern—which may include having you perform movements, assessing your strength or range of motion, and then discussing how physical therapy can help with your problem.
It is an optional step that can help you decide if you want to work with Dr. Meihofer and get started with treatment. Movement screens are not evaluations.
Is telehealth available?
Yes! Telehealth treatment is available to all patients.
Do you provide services in-home?
Yes! For some clients, in-home treatment may be a more suitable option. Please reach out via the contact page to learn more.
Are your clinic locations wheelchair accessible?
All of Dr. Meihofer’s locations are wheelchair accessible. This includes getting into the clinic as well as the bathrooms.
If you have other mobility or accessibility concerns, please reach out prior to your appointment by calling or emailing to let Dr. Meihofer know. That way, she can help ease any worries, and if necessary, ensure that she is ready to help assist you when you arrive.
What is Hive Therapy and Wellness?
Hive Therapy and Wellness is a physical therapy clinic created and run by Dr. Laura Meihofer and her partner, Dr. BJ Nash. Dr. Meihofer rebranded and expanded her private practice so that she could serve patients through pelvic floor physical therapy and general physical therapy services. On the locations page, you will find that most of her service locations are listed under Hive. To learn more about Dr. Meihofer’s clinic, visit the Hive Therapy and Wellness website.
Cost/Insurance Questions
What does out-of-network (OON) mean?
Out-of-network (OON) means the provider does not have contracts with any insurance companies. This comes with key benefits. Out-of-network providers are not limited to stipulations including number of visits, what type of treatment you receive, which provider you see, length of treatment process, etc. You and your provider determine the amount of care needed to reclaim a healthy quality of life. Learn more about out-of-network providers here.
Do you take insurance / what does cash-based mean?
Dr. Meihofer’s private practice is cash-based, meaning full payment is due at the time of service and is out-of-network with all insurers. However, she does accept HSA/FSA payments and can provide superbills to be submitted for out-of-network coverage.
Do you accept FSA/HSA?
Yes. Dr. Meihofer accepts FSA/HSA payments for in-person, telehealth, and in-home services provided in the state of Minnesota.
How will I be billed if I am not receiving services in Minnesota?
Patients who are not in the state of Minnesota who receive care from Dr. Meihofer will be billed for wellness coaching services.
Can I submit my bill to insurance for reimbursement?
Dr. Meihofer can provide superbills upon request. Superbills are itemized bills required by insurance companies to submit an insurance claim for out-of-network reimbursement. Unsure if your insurance will cover your care? Use this guide to find out.
What payment types do you accept?
Cash, check, debit card, and credit card is accepted at the time of payment. HSA and FSA payments are also accepted.
Do you offer payment plans?
Dr. Meihofer does offer payment plans for her treatment packages. For inquiries about payment plans, please reach out through the contact page. All other service costs are outlined in the costs page!
Why do I need to give credit card information to confirm my appointment?
You will be asked for credit card information to confirm your initial appointment. You are welcome to reschedule or cancel your appointment at least 24 hours in advance without penalty. If you are a no-show or cancel your appointment within 24 hours of the appointment, you will be charged the full fee or value of the appointment.
Appointment Questions
Do I need a referral?
The state of Minnesota allows patients to visit a provider for up to 90 days prior to requiring a referral for out-of-network physical therapy treatment. Patients do not need a referral for wellness services; however, it is recommended you ask your insurance company how wellness services are covered in advance to avoid surprises.
What is the cancellation policy?
Dr. Meihofer has a 24-hour cancellation policy. Patients who fail to reschedule or cancel their appointment at least 24 hours prior to their appointment time will be charged in full for the cost of their visit.
Should you be unable to attend in person, Dr. Meihofer is always able to switch to a video visit or phone visit to accommodate last minute changes.
Dr. Meihofer has a 24-hour cancellation policy because she not only holds that spot for you, but also prepares for your appointment time so that you can get the most out of your scheduled visit.
How long are appointments?
Appointments are 60 minutes; however, Dr. Meihofer is happy to adjust the length of appointments to fit your needs.
Can I make an appointment if I don’t live in Minnesota?
Yes. Dr. Meihofer knows it can be difficult to find the right physical therapist in your area; therefore, she offers remote telehealth wellness appointments for individuals who are not local to the area and/or live out of state.
Do I need an AnyTime Fitness membership to book an appointment?
No. Some of Dr. Meihofer’s offices are located inside AnyTime Fitness gyms, which gives her the opportunity to use gym equipment during sessions; however, patients do not need to be a current gym member. Non-members will receive a complimentary gym membership while under Dr. Meihofer’s care.
What does the first appointment look like?
Each person’s treatment and visit will vary; however, generally Dr. Meihofer will briefly discuss your intake forms, perform an evaluation with your consent, and may even start treatment right away. You will leave your first visit with an outline of what your plan of care will most likely look like from that point on, including a general idea of how many sessions you can expect. Please keep in mind that the number of sessions may change over time depending on your treatment needs, individual progress, compliance and goals.
Pelvic Floor Therapy Questions
Does pelvic floor therapy hurt?
No, physical therapy should not hurt. However, it is normal to experience soreness after some treatments and exercises.
Do I have to do external or internal exams?
Dr. Meihofer can and does perform both internal and external examinations and treatments—and is very experienced in doing so. However, she will always gain consent before performing any assessments or treatment. You do not have to accept any internal or even external pelvic floor muscle assessment or treatment. Dr. Meihofer wants you to feel comfortable in her office, so do not let an aversion to internal exams stop you from getting the healthcare you need!
Can pelvic floor therapy actually help me?
Yes! Pelvic floor therapy is all about outlining your goal and then focusing on strengthening what is weak, stretching what is tight, and teaching the system how to move with coordination and efficiency. Dr. Meihofer often sees patients who have either “failed” with other providers or who are unsure if pelvic floor therapy is right for them. If this is you, feel free to book a free discovery call to help learn how Dr. Meihofer can help.
Should I still come in if I’m on my period?
Dr. Meihofer can adjust her treatment to fit your needs and comfort level. While internal pelvic work is not contraindicated while on your period, it is completely up to your own comfort level! So if you are on your period and do not feel comfortable receiving internal examination or treatment, just let Dr. Meihofer know and she will adjust accordingly. If you are comfortable with treatment during your menstrual cycle, then that is great because it can be extremely helpful and therapeutic—especially for individuals with endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, and PCOS.
Appointment Prep Questions
What should I wear to my appointment?
It is best to wear loose-fitting clothing that allows you to move comfortably and that allows Dr. Meihofer to access the area of concern. This will allow her to see how you move and fully understand if any motions are inhibited due to muscle weakness, poor coordination, or joint restrictions.
Do I fill out forms before my appointment or in the office?
Before coming in for your first appointment, you will be asked to complete intake forms that Dr. Meihofer will review before you come in. When you arrive, she will briefly review those forms and ask any questions needed for clarification.
Mentorship Questions
Who is mentoring suitable for?
Any professional who is looking to improve their knowledge in pelvic floor services, business, and more! This includes professionals of all ages and expertise. Dr. Meihofer has experience mentoring a wide range of health professionals, including: sex therapists, gynecologists, urogynecologists, endocrinologists, surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.
What topics can I be mentored in?
Dr. Meihofer has a wide range of knowledge and years of experience—she can help professionals improve their pelvic floor knowledge, curate their services, grow their business, and learn to build an online community. This includes a wide range of topics such as creating integrative treatment plans, updating your service pricing, expanding your service offerings, optimizing your website, and much more.
What does mentorship look like?
Mentorship will look different for each person, as the experience is curated to each professional’s needs:
- What topics they want to improve on
- How much assistance or training they need
- How much time they want to invest in the mentorship
- Where they are located
Dr. Meihofer will work together with interested professionals to curate a mentorship experience that best works for their needs and desired skill sets!
Learn more about mentoring on the dedicated mentorship page.