My understanding is that a device will be covered under long term care but not skilled nursing.

Thank you so much for your response. I imagine that I will utilize your resources in the near future! I am going to give the patients family a call and see what they'd prefer to do. I have borrowed a device from a local SLP here and I'm going to see if they're interested in this device. If not I will certainly contact you.

Also, I have a random question for you. If a patient is just in skilled nursing but not on hospice, and they have medicare, can we fund a device for them?

Erin Singleton M.A., CCC-SLP
Neuroscience Outpatient Rehabilitation Center
2335 East Kashian Lane, Suite 301
Fresno, California 93701
Office: (559) 459-6056
Cell: (559) 250-1949
Fax: (559) 459-2957
Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I run the Greater Bay Area ALSA Communication Lending Library. Good news- Fresno is in our territory and we have a LightWriter or a DynaWrite for your patient! We require that borrowers work with a (local when possible) SLP who can provide evaluation and training on the device. Luckily they are working with you. The family will also have to fill out a loan agreement form and be responsible for returning the device when it is no longer needed. Please let us know how we can help.

Sincerely,

Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Specialist

Forbes Norris ALS Research Center
2324 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
P (415)600-1263
F (415)673-5184

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--- On Thu, 4/1/10, Erin Singleton <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hello everyone!

I am new to the list serve and I'm hoping someone may be able to help with some suggestions for a patient of mine.

I have an ALS patient who in just 2 short weeks has declined significantly and her speech is no longer functional. She was in assisted living and this weekend was placed on hospice in skilled nursing. Her family really wants her to have some type of SGD but I know that the SNF/hospice is a problem for getting devices funded. I have not yet built up a loaner closet or else I would loan a device to her. I have provided them with ideas for low tech but they really want to try a device. At our last visit with each other she was able to use the Lightwriter and Dynawrite with her left hand with some success. I know a type-&-talk device is the direction she is leaning. Her daughter is asking to rent or borrow so that while she is on hospice she has some way to communicate.

If anyone has any suggestions I would so appreciate it! Thanks.

Erin Singleton M.A., CCC-SLP

Neuroscience Outpatient Rehabilitation Center

2335 East Kashian Lane, Suite 301

Fresno, California 93701

Office: (559) 459-6056

Cell: (559) 250-1949

Fax: (559) 459-2957

Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

________________________________

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