Hi Nancy and Renee,
Lew Golinker and I looked into just that questions and there is nothing in Medicare regulations specifying that the evaluation must be done on-site.  I agree with Nancy.  You can do the evaluation since you don't charge for your services. 
 
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: Nancy Cleveland <xxxxxx@eyegaze.com>
To: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com
Sent: Friday, November 2, 2018 6:03 AM
Subject: Re: telemed and AAC ?

Hi Renee,

I’m not an SLP or an insurance expert, but it seems to me if you don’t charge for your services (since they are provided through a clinic) the insurance company shouldn’t care one way or the other.  The claim for the SGD would be submitted with all the necessary documents, including a speech-language evaluation report.  

I don’t believe there’s a requirement to specify the location of the evaluation - is there?  Is there something in the Medicare regs specifying that evaluation must be done on-site with the client?  

All the best,

Nancy

Nancy Cleveland, RN, BSN
Medical Director
LC Technologies, Inc.
www.eyegaze.com
Tel. 703-385-8800

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On Nov 1, 2018, at 10:15 AM, Amy Roman <xxxxxx@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

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