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Put your own health plan to the test. Rate the health plans of your family and friends. It's easy. A blank grading template is available on ASHA's Web site. Once you've rated your plan, pass along the results to ASHA by e-mail at reimbursement@asha.org. ASHA will add your plan's information to a database for possible inclusion in our 2004 report card.
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Use the information you've gathered to advocate for improved coverage of services. You are uniquely positioned to approach your benefits specialist to ask for expanded benefits.
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Place copies of the report card and grading templates in your waiting room and encourage patients to review their plan. Challenge them to get five of their friends to do the same.
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Use the materials ASHA recently developed (the checklist "Getting Your Employer to Cover Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Services" and an "Employer Insurance Packet"). These materials provide you with the steps to take when meeting with a benefits decision-maker. To obtain copies, call the ASHA Action Center at 800-498-2071.
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Send a copy of the results to the health plan's medical director requesting that they verify the accuracy of your findings.
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Use this information to lobby for more or better coverage of audiology and speech-language services.
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