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For each of the 2006 Focused Initiatives, a work plan that includes the strategies to be completed in 2006 was developed. During the 2nd quarter of the year, the strategy implementation teams initiated activities necessary to complete the strategies by the dates indicated. View the 2006 work plan for each Focused Initiative. The following report highlights some of the actions that were initiated during the 2nd quarter and includes information on the status of all strategies included in the work plan at the end of the 2nd quarter.
2nd Quarter Highlights
- Negotiations are underway with an expert consultant in health plan advocacy to assist in developing and implementing advocacy activities.
- An advisory group of benefits managers/employers has been established to identify issue related to the need for audiology and speech-language benefits that should be included in an awareness campaign directed at employers and to elicit guidance from the group with respect to campaign messages, targets, strategy, and approaches.
- Developing a packet of resources (letters, CMS guidelines, costs of eliminating services) will be available to members to respond to state Medicaid programs and private health plans that are recommending reducing or eliminating coverage for speech-language pathology and audiology services. The packet is being developed instead of the checklist due to the growing number of Medicaid programs reducing funding for services.
- Have identified large employers based in the greater Baltimore-Washington area (e.g. Marriott, Lockheed-Martin, Exxon Mobil, Mars, Black and Decker, Legg Mason) to provide information on the need to provide health benefits coverage for audiology and speech-language pathology.
- ASHA monitors the database used to identify legislative and regulatory actions taking place at the state level and works with State Advocates for Reimbursement (STAR) network on issues related to items found. Bills passed to date provide for expanded coverage of SLP services for children with autism (IL, TN) and increased coverage for hearing aides for both children and adults in RI.
- Began development of a document to provide insurers with information on the benefits of providing coverage for audiologic rehabilitation.
- Created the audiologic rehabilitation Web page and promoted the page in the May issue of Access Audiology.
- Held conference calls with the Medicare Intermediaries and Carriers (MICS network to discuss use of ASHA’s Web site for writing to Congressional representatives to discuss SLP Medicare supplier status.
There are 37 strategies in the Reimbursement in Health and Education work plan. Following is the status for the 1st and 2nd quarter.
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Quarter
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Not Started
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25% Complete
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50% Complete
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75% Complete
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100% Complete
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Eliminated
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1st
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10
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15
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4
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2
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5
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1
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2nd
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7
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5
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13
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6
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4
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2
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