Hi Renee --

I notice you're writing from Virginia ... I would not normally recommend this approach, but if there's really no one else available, you might consider calling in James Brinton from LC Technologies, which has its home base in Fairfax. Typically I would not use the vendor to do an evaluation to justify a SGD purchase, but James is an unusually ethical and competent customer service rep, with a speech background, and I'm sure he would provide an honest report. He may even know a licensed SLP that would be available for a home visit. Something to think about, anyway ...

Amy

On Thu, Nov 1, 2018 at 9:49 AM Renee B <xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:

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