Here in the US, funding of AAC devices for students in public schools has gotten increasingly complex. In this video, Lew Golinker of the AT Law Center, explains the factors that influence this decision. Thanks to Lew and the AAC-RERC for making this available. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O08OJopBH9s&feature=em-uploademail
Hello, AAC friends, and happy Sunday! Here are a handful of posts that may have been overlooked in your busy week. Monday – “I’m using Aided Language Input. Now what?” Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Thumbs Up for AAC Support in The Community Thursday – 3 AAC Tips You Might Not Have Tried Yet :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: And, wait! There’s more! PrAACtical Resources: Lockdown, Code Red, and Other School Safety Drills PrAACtical Resources: AAC for School Staff Preschool AAC and Visual Supports from Orange County Public Schools Who Can Pay for AAC Devices for Public School Students? Preventing Problem Behavior in Schools by Dr. Barry Prizant Have a great week, AAC friends!
In the US, one option for obtaining funds for AAC devices is through Medicaid, a public health benefits program. In today’s featured video, Lew Golinker, of the AT Law Center, provides an overview and discusses important updates and issues that will be helpful to anyone considering using Medicaid funds for AAC devices. Many thanks to USSAAC for this wonderful webcast series, to ISAAC for facilitating it, and to Lew for his tireless efforts in advocating for the AAC field. You can learn more from Lew here. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b55U92VIfvE
Here in the US, there are many paths to getting access to AAC devices and services. Depending on the age of the communicator and other factors, we may pursue AAC funding the through the schools, public or private insurance, government programs for veterans and people with disabilities, and other sources. It is a complex task that requires specialized knowledge and some fortitude. June’s Site of the Month, AAC Funding Help, has been a resource to professionals and families for over a decade. Established by Lew Golinker at the Assistive Technology Law Center, the site has a wealth of resources to explore. Here are some highlights from that site. Overview of US funding options for AAC Specific details about the requirements and procedures for major avenues to AAC funding Sample letters of medical necessity and information on coding AAC devices and services for reimbursement purposes AAC Report Writing Coach Database of... [Read More...]
What’s been happening in your prAACtical life? Monday – PrAACtical Thoughts on Challenging Behavior and Emotional Regulation from the 2016 CARD Conference Tuesday – Teach Me Tuesday: Scene Speak Thursday – Video fothe Week: Who Can Pay for AAC Devices for Public School Students by Lew Golinker
US Colleagues: It’s not too late! We still need your help to tell Congress and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, to stop denying our most vulnerable disabled people their ability to communicate! The initial advocacy effort was effective in delaying the start date for implementation of the proposed changes but more needs to be done. New to these issues? Check out the post by Bill Binko here. Basically, Medicare has announced several changes to its speech generating device coverage policies that will be devastating to people with complex communication needs. To protect our clients, we believe the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the most senior official responsible for Medicare policy, must be made aware of the harmful effects of these changes and must be asked to reverse them. We must speak up now to ensure our clients also will be able to. You can call Medicare directly to... [Read More...]
Here in the US, debates about health care funding are ongoing. It’s a bit baffling that healthcare is considered to be a commodity rather than a right, but that’s a story for another venue. What we want to address here is the cost of AAC to insurers. Most people assume that insurance companies don’t cover AAC because it is enormously expensive to do so and would raise the costs of the premiums substantially. Not so, according to Lew Golinker, of AAC Funding Help. He cites the work of a highly-respected actuarial firm, and reported the following: “On September 19, 2006, Milliman, Inc., one of the nation’s most respected health actuary consulting firms reported that the cost of covering SGDs in a typical commercial insurance policy or health benefits plan was at most 2 cents per member per month or 24 cents per member per year.” Let’s say that again: 24... [Read More...]