MDA did allow us to use part of the $2000 grant for a netbook, speakers, case, software, etc. for one of my patients. I had to buy everything myself, assemble it and then bill MDA because they needed everything on one bill. Our MDA rep also said make sure I wrote "speech generating device" on the bill. I did and was successfully reimbursed. I've only done this for one patient so far. She is someone who we are not expecting limb involvement to develop, and if we are wrong and it does, we have a pretty big loan closet.
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@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
________________________________
From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Judie Benwick [xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 4:50 AM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [Assistive Technology] NYTimes.com: For Speech-Impaired, Insurance Fights Remedy
Thanks, Amy. This is an Interesting article, especially the suggestion “for A.L.S. assistance groups to buy dozens of netbooks, install specialized software like Proloquo2Go<http://www.proloquo2go.com/> and lend them to clients.” A netbook with Prologuo2Go (or similar software) may be affordable for PALS who enter nursing homes or enroll in hospice before acquiring an AAC device via Medicare… especially if MDA’s $2,000 speech device grant could be used to fund this lower cost alternative.
Judie
Judie Benwick, MSH, MPH, CHES
Care Coordinator
(Toll-free) 888-257-1717, ext. 112
(Jacksonville) 904-688-0886
(Fax) 904-685-5203
Statewide Support Group Info<http://webfl.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FL_Calendar>
The ALS Association, Florida Chapter
3242 Parkside Center Circle,
Tampa, FL 33619
.
From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Amy Roman
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 1:51 AM
To: AT ALS Listserv
Subject: [Assistive Technology] NYTimes.com: For Speech-Impaired, Insurance Fights Remedy
Interesting article discussing some of the new options for do-it-yourself high tech AAC (most come in under $450.00 for all components).
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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TECHNOLOGY | September 15, 2009
For Speech-Impaired, Insurance Fights Remedy <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/technology/15speech.html?emc=eta1>
By ASHLEE VANCE
Despite their usefulness and lower cost, devices like iPhones and netbook PCs that can help the speech-impaired are not covered by Medicare or insurers.
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