I wrote to the folks at ASHA headliners who posted this when I saw this at 4:30 AM EST.  Hopefully someone will see it and respond.  I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything from that front.

 

John

 

 

John M. Costello

Director, Augmentative Communication Program and 

ALS Augmentative Communication Program

Boston Children's Hospital

781.216.2220

781 216 2252 fax

www.childrenshospital.org/acp

www.childrenshospital.org/ALSaugcomm

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.org/acpchboston

TWITTER:  ACP/ALS ACP

                                   @costello_j

 

 

From: <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com> on behalf of Lisa Bruening <xxxxxx@alsaohio.org>
Reply-To: "xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com" <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com>
Date: Friday, May 1, 2020 at 11:56 AM
To: "xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com" <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com>
Subject: Re: ACRM Breaking News-But not for AAC Billing Codes [EXTERNAL] [Bulk]

 

* External Email - Caution *

 

I will communicate this issue to the ALS Association National Public Policy Team unless, of course, they are already aware?

 

Alisa, Amy L- have you already reached out?

 

Amy L., can you share the link which lists the reimbursable codes?  

I would imagine ASHA has up to date information?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

 

 

On Fri, May 1, 2020 at 11:01 AM Amy Roman <xxxxxx@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Hi Amy L.,

Thanks for bringing up this important distinction.  Many private insurance companies are doing the same thing.  United and Cigna don't include AAC or other important codes.   Wow, how hard was if for them to just let professionals decide which codes could and could not be provided adequately though telehealth services.  It all seem so random.  

 

Now the questions is how do we correct this problem.  Can anyone direct us to the lobbying team or people who can help us get this issue addressed as soon as possible. This issue very directly impacts people with ALS!  

 

I'm in the final months of a study entitled The Value and Feasibility of Telepractice Speech Generating Device Evaluation and Treatment for People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).  I had started it in 2018.  If I can be of help let me know.  

 

Sincerely,

Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Specialist


Forbes Norris ALS Research and Treatment Center
& ALSA Golden West AAC Evaluation Center and Lending Library

1100 Van Ness Ave.
6th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94109

Cell (415)518-0592
Fax (415)375-4827

AmyandpALS.Com
Pinterest.com/AmyandpALS

 

 

On Friday, May 1, 2020, 07:22:45 AM PDT, Amy Lustig <xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:

 

 

Although this is good news in some respects, the codes approved for reimbursement are limited to a few basic speech and language evaluation and treatment. Many codes are not reimbursable, including any AAC-specific ones, swallowing, or instrumental assessments. 

Sent from my iPhone



On May 1, 2020, at 9:14 AM, Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org> wrote:

Sharing 


Begin forwarded message:

From: ACRM | American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine <xxxxxx@acrm.org>
Date: April 30, 2020 at 11:01:06 PM EDT
To: Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org>
Subject: ACRM Breaking News
Reply-To: xxxxxx@acrm.org

PTs, OTs, and SLPs can now bill CMS for telehealth services

CRM Pandemic Webinar Series banner

 

PTs, OTs, SLPs Can Now Bill CMS for Telehealth Services

 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new waivers to add additional types of healthcare professionals who can provide “distant site” telehealth services, “including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and others.”

 

These waivers were part of a new round of substantial regulatory and rule changes announced today aimed at enhancing “flexibility for Medicare telehealth services” in order to expand care during the current COVID-19 emergency.

 

 

This breaking news is brought to you by ACRM and the Pandemic Task Force.

 

Tracey Wallace, MS, CCC-SLP

Co-Chair, ACRM Technology Networking Group

Co-Chair, Pandemic Task Force

Speech-Language Pathologist/ Clinical Research Scientist, Shepherd Center

 

John Dzivak

Co-Chair, Pandemic Task Force

Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Pt Pal

 

 

020 Call for Proposals banner

 

CALL FOR PAPERS & POSTERS

 

To support our healthcare heros serving on the front lines, ACRM has extended the 2020 Annual Conference Call for Proposals. Proposals for scientific papers (18-minute oral presentations) and posters will now be accepted through 12 May.

 

 

 

EARLY BIRDS SAVE UP TO 40% THROUGH 15 MAY

ACRM Conference: Progress in Rehabilitation Research

Core Conference: 21-24 OCT 2020

 Pre-Conference: 19-21 OCT 2020

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

EXHIBITING & SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

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hoto

Lisa M. Bruening
Director of Care Services

The ALS Association Northern Ohio Chapter

xxxxxx@alsaohio.org

440-399-7096 (mobile, voice and text)

alsaohio.org

6155 Rockside Road, Suite 403 Independence, OH 44131

 

 

 

*Due to precautions being taken nationwide to limit exposure to COVID-19, all Chapter staff will be working remotely for the foreseeable future. To reach a member of our team by phone,visit:

 

 

We remain committed to providing our programs and services in this remote environment to support those living with ALS and their families.