Next Steps Fund

CAPS and UVA Student Council recognize the importance of finding an affordable therapist and being able to have ongoing access to treatment. In paying for your first six sessions with a community therapist, The Next Steps Fund is intended to help reduce your initial financial burden. After the six initial visits, the student will pay for ongoing sessions independently or through their health insurance plan.

For Students: Getting Started

• Complete a brief initial screening with CAPS. This screening can be conveniently scheduled online through the HealthyHoos patient portal or by calling (434) 243-5150. During your scheduled screening, please self-identify that you are interested in the Next Steps Fund due to financial need. After your screening, a CAPS Care Manager will reach out to you directly to schedule a follow-up meeting. You will discuss:
  • A referral to a community provider (or next steps if you already have a chosen provider) 
  • Any necessary health insurance information
  • An electronic NSF DocuSign invoice form and agreement and two release forms (one for your selected provider and the other for the UVA Next Steps Fund); and
  • Any other questions you may have.
• After your meeting, PLEASE check your email and complete the forms so that CAPS can process provider payments in a timely manner. Your provider has agreed to receive a delayed payment from the Next Steps Fund for your first six appointments at an adjusted insurance rate instead of upfront payment from you, so it is very important we have the completed forms in order to pay your provider.
• Your invoice and agreement document allows you to see a simple financial worksheet of the expected charges that Next Steps Fund will be paying your provider, and what you can expect to pay for future sessions. Hopefully, there will be a mutual financial understanding so that you can focus your energies on your own growth and healing! 
• If you or your provider have feedback, questions, or concerns, please call 434-243-5150 or email Brenda Haley, CAPS Office Manager.

 

For Providers: Learn More

In order to provide care for students through the UVA Next Steps Fund, community providers must register as a vendor with the UVA Fund by sending/emailing a copy of their W9 to Brenda Haley, CAPS Office Manager. Providers are asked to file claims with insurance and bill the student as they normally would. Students must submit their initial six therapy bills to CAPS in order to get funded. Once the bill is received by CAPS, the student’s portion of the bill will be paid directly to the provider from the UVA Fund for up to six initial visits. Student information is kept confidential and only CAPS and the community therapist have access to the student’s name. 
PDF for Providers

The Next Steps Fund was created by UVA Darden School of Business alumnus Devin Underhill, who wanted to help others take their next steps toward mental health recovery. Devin spent the summer of 2016 hiking the Appalachian Trail and raising money to start a fund that aims to break barriers, to improve access, and reduce stigma surrounding mental health and therapy. Visit Devin’s website to learn more or to make a donation.