[diver345]

I have a question on speech therapy. I’m having my son evaluated b/c I believe he has a speech delay. From what I understand, this is free up to the age of three (he is 22 months). However, when I spoke with the coordinator, she said that the coordination for services and evaluation is free. If he qualifies, then they refer him to a speech therapist that will bill my insurance co. I spoke with my insurance co. (Blue Cross) and they said they will not cover this. They only cover medical speech problems not developmental delays. Does this sound right? How did others get their speech therapy covered and paid for?
Thanks so much for the help.
Vicki

[azamboni]

Hi, SLP here . You should be able to contact the Infant and Toddler office of your local school system for evaluation and services free of charge. Hope this helps!

[LisaDR]

I'm in jersey and the evaluation is free... however the therapy.... is income based here and is subject to change within the next few months it was a fee per month but I believe it is going per hours..... actually it was suppose to change 2/1 but there is a delay.....

Chase gets it through early intervention

[ourdreamcametru]

I'm in TN and Castle is getting free speech therpy through the state until she turns three and then she will go to the elem school where we are zoned for free therpy there also as long as needed. The state paid for a hearing and speech evaluation also!

[DPline]

I had my son evaluated at 27 months through our school system. They have different programs for birth thru age 3 and age 3 and up, but all are free. Not sure how much this varies by state (I am in Michigan) and school system, but you might want to start by contacting your school system and see what they say. Good luck!

[mommytoEli]

no, i don't think this is right. I am pretty sure ALL states have a birth to 3, 3-5, and elementary program for developmental delays. Call your local school district and ask, they should be able to direct you to the correct place.

[mycodybear]

All states require that the evaluation is done for free. However, it varies by state whether the actual services themselves are provided for free or if you must pay for them. I just moved from Florida, where services were free, to North Carolina, where I learned much to my surprise they are not free. It is at a discounted rate, and based on your income. For us, we have to pay the full amount, which is about $75 an hour. Kind of stinks when we were getting free services in Florida. But once he turns 3, the school system is free (at least in NC).

[denisenw5]

I live in Ohio and my two year old son has been receiving speech therapy services for free since he was twenty-months. The evaluation was free and then they gave me several options for therapy. My insurance does not cover for delays, so I take him to our county birth to three program which provides services for free. I have to drive about 40 minutes each way, once a week, but it is worth the savings and they are doing a great job.

[DFNY]

See if your county has an Early Intervention Program. Here in NY, the testing and the therapy is for free through them. Good luck.

Damaris

[LCG]

Hi I'm a speech therapist in MI. We have free services for the birth to three population through the Intermediate School District--every county has one. At age 3 and beyond it is the individual school districts responsibility to provide services. It is slightly more difficult to qualify for free services after age 3, but not terribly so.

If you have to go the insurance route, check into a 0-6 rider on your plan. If you are able to get one, this will cover developmental delay treatment up to the age of 6. Most clinics/hospitals that provide outpatient speech services to children are pretty good at looking into every avenue to get coverage. Most companies do not cover DD without the 0-6 plan but they do cover apraxia of speech, which is medical as it is a planning and programming disorder and doesn't necessarily need to be called "developmental apraxia".


Laura