How It Works
Ascellus provides behavioral health services to help you recover from your work-related injury.
Sometimes a work injury can leave you feeling worried about your recovery and wondering about the best way to cope in your daily life. Your care team may recommend a referral if you are experiencing similar thoughts or feelings.
How We Do It
Step 1: Ascellus Reaches Out To You
Ascellus will reach out within 1-3 business days upon receiving a referral for you. We will ask you to electronically sign a Consent to Treatment form and work to schedule an initial virtual healthcare assessment.
If you see a number calling from Florida, it is likely Ascellus.
Step 2: Attend an Initial Assessment
During your assessment, the clinician will talk with you about:
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your current work injury and related difficulties
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what treatment you have received for the injury
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how you are coping with the recovery process, and more.
This process helps determine if treatment will be recommended.
Step 3: Skill Building and Treatment Services
If the clinician recommends services, we notify your care team. Upon receiving authorization by your care team, your follow-up sessions will be scheduled directly with your clinician.
Step 4: Concluding Care
Treatment may conclude when you have reached your treatment goals, or all authorized sessions have been completed.
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How do I schedule appointments with Ascellus clinicians?Once Ascellus receives a referral from your claims care team, we will contact you to schedule the first appointment with any new clinician. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled directly with your clinician or via their scheduling system, unless you are informed otherwise.
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When will my appointment be scheduled?The average length of time from receiving your referral to your first appointment is typically 15 business days. Your location, schedule, and clinician availability may impact the timeline.
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What should I do if I have trouble joining my telehealth appointment?1. Call your clinician’s office 2. Call your Ascellus case coordinator
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What happens if I am unable to attend a session?Please notify us as soon as you know that you won't be able to attend your session (two or more business days prior to your appointment is preferred) to get you rescheduled.
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Will I be charged for these sessions?No, your care with Ascellus is authorized and paid for by your workers’ compensation claim.
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Can I request that my clinician have certain characteristics, knowledge, or experience?We do our best to accommodate requests when you provide preferences. Because everyone’s privacy and equal treatment rights are important, we focus on the professional qualifications of our clinicians, and disclosure of personal information unrelated to behavioral health expertise is not required. All our providers receive training in culturally competent care and work with individuals from all walks of life. They commit to non-discriminatory practices and if you ever have any concerns, you can feel free to talk to them about it or contact your case coordinator at Ascellus.
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What types of employees have Ascellus clinicians worked with?Ascellus clinicians are exclusively focused on helping recovering workers restore their physical and emotional wellbeing and have worked with employees in many fields. This includes (but is not limited to): all types of first responders, public safety officers, and security personnel & guards in various facilities physicians and healthcare workers retail, grocery, restaurant, and other sales positions operators of various types of industrial equipment and vehicles including long-haul trucks and buses Construction And many more Our clinicians know how important work and its benefits are to overall wellbeing, so we keep treatment goals focused on return to function.
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What is the status of my claim and my income?Please reach out to your claims care team regarding claim status or denied authorization for services.
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When should I expect my work status form?If an Ascellus clinician is addressing your work status, you should receive it within one business day of your appointment.
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What if I have problems getting my medication?If your medication needs prior authorization, it may not be available immediately after your appointment. If it is not available within two days, contact your claims care team.
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Will my medical records be shared with my claim handler and/or employer?Ascellus adheres to the required procedures for releasing medical records in the context of Workers’ Compensation based on state requirements. Therefore, medical records about your work-related injury will be released to appropriate members of your workers’ compensation claims care team. Ascellus does not send records to your employer. Once Ascellus has released records to the appropriate parties, it does not have control over the recipient’s use or further disclosure. If you have concerns about your privacy, please share them with your clinician and claims care team.
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How do I obtain my medical records or request that forms be completed?Email all requests to medicalrecords@ascellus.com
Overview and FAQ
One of your medical treatment providers or claims team members believes that you may benefit from additional support during your recovery. Research shows that social support, mood improvement, stress management, realistic expectations about your injury and recovery, and healthy habits lead to better recovery. Ascellus provides interventions to address these factors and improve your wellness outcomes. Ascellus is an independent organization that helps recovering workers access behavioral health care clinicians.
Ascellus primarily offers virtual behavioral healthcare. This helps us maximize access to clinicians who have excellent experience serving recovering workers. Research shows that telehealth and virtual care have benefits that are equal to and sometimes better than in person appointments. If you have barriers to accessing virtual or telehealth care, please let us know when we call.
To begin services, Ascellus must have your consent to participate in care. To document this, we require your signature on a Consent to Treatment form which also explains the possible benefits and risks of treatment and using virtual behavioral health services.
Upon scheduling, we will let you know how much time the first appointment (assessment) will take. Your clinician will inform you of how long follow-up sessions will be. The number of sessions you attend will depend on what is medically necessary, recommended by your clinician, and authorized for payment by your claims handler.
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This is a virtual appointment that can be attended from a private, comfortable, and quiet place within your state of residence. A link will be sent prior to the appointment.
Just like in-person appointments, the provider can sometimes run late. Please stay in the meeting for 15 minutes past your appointment start time and while waiting please reach out to your clinician and/or case coordinator via phone or email to confirm you are in the appointment.