Direct Access 101: Getting Pelvic Floor Therapy Without a Doctor’s Referral in North Carolina

Nov 7

If you’ve ever been told you need to “wait for a referral” before starting therapy, you’re not alone. For years, many women have assumed that pelvic floor therapy-like so many other parts of healthcare-requires an order from their doctor. But here’s the good news: in North Carolina, you don’t need to wait.

Thanks to a law called Direct Access, you can begin pelvic floor occupational therapy without a physician referral. That means you can take charge of your healing and get care when you need it-not months later.

What is Direct Access?

Direct Access simply means you can see a licensed occupational or physical therapist directly, without needing a prescription, referral, or prior medical visit. In North Carolina, this applies to pelvic floor therapy, too.

Here’s what that means in practice:

You can contact Everbloom Pelvic Health directly to schedule your evaluation.
You don’t have to wait for your OB/GYN, primary care provider, or urologist to approve it.
You can start care immediately. Often within days instead of months.

For many women, that’s a huge shift. Whether you’re dealing with postpartum recovery, leaking, prolapse symptoms, pelvic pain, or diastasis recti, early intervention matters. The sooner you begin retraining your breath, core, and pelvic floor, the sooner your body can start to heal.

Why This Matters

Women are often told that discomfort, leaking, or pain are “normal” after childbirth or as they age. Then, they’re put on long waitlists for specialists-sometimes waiting months for answers.

Direct Access changes that.

It gives you control over your timeline. You don’t have to live with pain or dysfunction while waiting for someone else’s approval to start getting better. You can choose to prioritize your body and begin your healing journey now.

At Everbloom, that means:

You can book your first session directly through our site.
You can even start with a free 15-minute virtual consultation to discuss your goals and get guidance on next steps.
You’ll receive a personalized plan (rooted in whole-body, hands-on care) to help you restore strength and balance in your pelvic floor.

How Direct Access Works at Everbloom

The process is simple:

Schedule your free 15-minute virtual consult.
This is your chance to share your symptoms, goals, and questions in a no-pressure setting. It also helps us determine if pelvic floor therapy is right for you.
Book your initial evaluation.
Your first in-person session includes a 90 minute comprehensive, whole-body assessment. We’ll discuss your history, posture, breathing, core function, and pelvic floor coordination. From there, we’ll develop an individualized plan to help you move toward healing.
Begin your treatment plan.
Your care may include manual therapy, breathwork, core retraining, body mechanics, and functional movement-all tailored to your season of womanhood.
Submit your superbill for reimbursement (optional).
Even though Everbloom operates as an out-of-network practice, many clients receive partial reimbursement through their insurance. You’ll be given everything you need to submit your claim easily (more on that below!).

How Reimbursement Works: The Superbill Explained

When you pay for your session at Everbloom, you’ll receive a superbill:an itemized receipt that includes all the details your insurance company needs to process your out-of-network claim.

Your superbill will list:

Your diagnosis and CPT codes (for services rendered)
The date of service and payment
Everbloom Pelvic Health’s NPI and tax information
Your total session cost

You can submit this directly to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients get a percentage of their session cost back (depending on your plan’s benefits).

If you have HSA or FSA funds, you can also use those to pay for your sessions.

The best part?
Because you’re not restricted by insurance network rules, your care remains flexible, comprehensive, and fully centered on you. No visit caps, no unnecessary limitations, and no waiting on approval.

Why Women Choose Direct Access Care

Direct Access gives you more than convenience-it gives you control.

No waiting for doctor’s orders: You can start care when symptoms begin.
No unnecessary barriers: You decide when to prioritize your health.
No “cookie-cutter” plans: Your sessions are built entirely around your body, your lifestyle, and your healing goals.
Whole-body focus: Everbloom’s approach looks beyond the pelvic floor-addressing breathing, posture, mobility, and the way you move throughout your day.

Many of our clients tell us they wish they’d known sooner that they didn’t have to wait for a referral. Often, those first few sessions bring a sense of empowerment and relief that’s been missing for months.

Breaking the “Wait and See” Cycle

It’s all too common for women to hear:

“Let’s give it a few more months and see if it gets better.”

But waiting isn’t always the best answer. Leaking, pain, pressure, or instability often indicate that your body needs support, now. With Direct Access, you don’t have to “wait and see.” You can take the next step today.

Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just about fixing symptoms-it’s about restoring confidence, comfort, and connection to your body after pregnancy, birth, or any life change that’s affected your pelvic health.

Ready to Begin?

Whether you’re newly postpartum, years postpartum, or simply ready to take charge of your pelvic health, you don’t need a referral to start.

Here’s how to begin:

Schedule your free 15-minute virtual consultation https://everbloompelvichealth.janeapp.com.
Book your initial evaluation when you’re ready to begin care.
Start healing-on your own timeline.

At Everbloom Pelvic Health, we believe women deserve accessible, hands-on, whole-body care that honors every season of womanhood. With Direct Access, that care is just a call (or click) away. 💛