Hi Amy, Good info.  Thanks.  I downloaded the Medicare Reimbursement Form.   When you say  Medicare would only provide this benefit "once in a lifetime" does that refer to a possible future purchase of an SGD?  Or does it only refer to reimbursing for an under $200 out-of-pocket cost?    Might a patient find that Medicare has reimbursed them for a $200 app and later, when they need a $16,000 eye tracking SGD, they may be told we already addressed your ALS diagnosis related communication need?  I remember this was an issue with voice amplifiers funded by Medicare. Sincerely, Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP Augmentative Communication Specialist AmyandpALS.Com Forbes Norris ALS Research and Treatment Center 2324 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94115 Cell (415)518-0592 Fax (415)600-3778 From: AMY S. GOLDMAN <xxxxxx@temple.edu> Subject: Re: [no phi] RE: how to bill insurance for apps or TTS software for a computer To: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com Date: Monday, June 24, 2013, 9:17 AM I had a similar inquiry (from Philly) and here's what I advised the therapist below.  Please note that she told me when she pursued the "reimbursement" option, Medicare told her the consumer could only do this literally once in a lifetime (for items under $200).   Questions about Medicare: http://www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/file-a-claim/file-a-claim.html There is a form for a person to file for reimbursement, themselves - if they are in "original Medicare". http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS1490S-ENGLISH.pdf Keep in mind that if the patient is in a Medicare managed care plan, process will be different, and they should contact their plan. You may want to contact the "DMERC" that handles durable medical equipment for our region. Of course they will not cover the ipad but may, under that "E" CPT code I referenced in my asha post, cover the app as a specialized software - and you can ask if reimbursement for that is a possibility. (And please let me know what you find out!!) HealthNow NY Region A DMERC P.O. Box 6800 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773 Phone: (800)842-2052 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (800)842-2052 Amy This message is intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential, the disclosure of which is governed by applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message by error, please notify the sender immediately to arrange for return or destruction of these documents. Reply Forward Click here to Reply or Forward On Mon, Jun 24, 2013 at 11:27 AM, Edward Hitchcock <xxxxxx@ric.org> wrote: I know that Forbes rehabilitation services is now selling an iPad with speech apps under Medicare benefits.   http://www.frs-solutions.com/products/comlinks/proslates/ProSlate_10   I do not know of anyone who is selling just the apps under Medicare assignment. Practically speaking, I have a hard time imagining that happening since it is so much money to get funding through Medicare compared to the relatively low cost of the apps themselves. But then again, I obviously do not have much experience with that side of the business so perhaps there are people out there who are?   Ed Hitchcock OT/L Technology Center Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago     From: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com [mailto:xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com] On Behalf Of Coggiola, Jennifer L. Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 11:33 PM To: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com Cc: xxxxxx@sbcglobal.net; xxxxxx@sjsu.edu Subject: how to bill insurance for apps or TTS software for a computer   Does anyone know how to do this?  My patients have been paying for TTS apps privately but it is a Medicare benefit.  How can they use this benefit?   Jen Coggiola, MA, CCC/SLP Speech Pathologist ALS Center at UCSF 400 Parnassus Ave., 8th Floor San Francisco, CA 94143 (415) 353-2122 clinic phone (415) 353-2524 clinic fax (925) 323-0175 cell phone xxxxxx@ucsfmedctr.org Confidentiality Notice: This message and any attachments are only for the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential, privileged and/or protected health information. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please: 1) be advised that unauthorized review, use, copying, disclosure, or distribution is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful; 2) notify the sender of the delivery by reply e-mail or contact RIC's Privacy Officer at 312.238.0766 or xxxxxx@ric.org; and 3) delete and destroy all copies of the message and its attachments. Thank you. -- Amy S. Goldman Co-Executive Director, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University Student Center - Suite 411 S 1755 N.13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19122 215-204-3862 direct www.disabilities.temple.edu xxxxxx@temple.edu