Hi Renee,
Perhaps orders for home health care from an agency that is staffed with SLP’s trained in AAC device assessment would offer the solution. As an example, MedStar Visiting Nurse Association
in MD/DC/VA lists “treatment with augmentative alternative communication systems and devices” among their in-home speech therapy services at
https://www.medstarvna.org/home-health-care/rehabilitation-at-home/speech-therapy/.
We’ve seen vendors work together with qualified home health agency SLPs to assess and document the need for AAC for home bound patients…and later coach them on the use of the device once it is received.
Judie Benwick, MSH, MPH,
CHES®
Regional Program Manager - Northwest Florida
The ALS Association Florida Chapter
3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619
(Phone) 813-637-9000
(Toll-free) 888-257-1717, ext. 112
(Fax) 813-637-9010
Email:
xxxxxx@alsafl.org
Website:
www.alsafl.org
From: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com [mailto:xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com]
On Behalf Of Amy Roman
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2018 10:15 AM
To: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com
Subject: Re: telemed and AAC ?
Hi Renee,
If he has Medicare or most other private insurance, SLPs are not among the providers who can be reimbursed for telehealth at this time. In addition,
a client may not privately pay for these services if he has Medicare since Medicare does pay for SLP services.
I believe there is a huge need for telehealth in the area of AAC for people with ALS. I have applied for a grant for a research project to demonstrate
the validity of SGD recommendation produced from a teleheath SGD evaluation. The vendors and family would be with the client and the AAC specialist/SLP would direct the evaluation. I have done these and they went very well but I believe we need evidence
not antidotes. Currently we have a large number of home bound individuals who have no means for getting an SGD through Medicare. If anyone else is working on this too please let me know. I am trying to collect data on what research has already been done
and the best way to advocate to change the Medicare policy.
Sincerely,
Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Specialist
Forbes Norris ALS Research and Treatment Center
2324 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Cell (415)518-0592
Fax (415)600-3778
From: Renee B <xxxxxx@gmail.com>
To: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com
Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2018 6:49 AM
Subject: telemed and AAC ?
Hi All,
I'm an SLP in our University's ALS clinic. I typically provide all my services for free. I have a home bound, trach/vent pALS who I've been following
for quite some time. His SGD is no longer fitting his needs (and luckily is a loaner device) and he is testing out other devices right now that seem to be a better fit. He has found one that he likes and would like to purchase it. The good thing is he hasn't
used his insurance to get a SGD, the problem is that I cannot find an SLP who will make a home visit to assist with his communication evaluation and funding from his insurance company.
Has anyone had luck doing a telemedicine communication evaluation and billing insurance? I do frequent telemed visits with him, but I never bill for my services. I know it's not the ideal situation for a communication eval, but I think it may be my last option. I
thought I'd ask the group before the headache process of calling his insurance company.
Thanks for any advice.
Renee
Renee S. Bricker, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist, Clin 3
University of Virginia Health System