About Health Insurance
Understanding health insurance plans can be confusing to most
consumers. Many don't know where to look or whom to contact
for information on the coverage of speech-language pathology
services, audiology services and hearing aids, let alone how to
interpret the coverage guidelines. ASHA has developed this site
to help you, as a consumer, understand your health plan as well
as provide further contacts to assist you in understanding and
obtaining the coverage you need to receive speech and hearing
services.
Types of Health Plans
In order to understand your health care coverage, you must
first be able to identify what type of health plan you may have.
There are 3 different health plans available to consumers:
Private Health Plans
are the most common. These are health plans offered by employers
to their employees. They can also be purchased by an
individual.
Medicaid
is government funded health care, typically provided for
low-income individuals and families.
Medicare
is government funded health care, typically provided for
individuals ages 65 and over.
Alternative Sources for Health Care Assistance
If you don't have coverage for speech and hearing
services, there are other alternative sources for health care
assistance:
Schools
-
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
is the landmark law that provides federal funding for all
children with disabilities and will allow your child to receive
these services through their public school.
Hearing
- There are numerous organizations and programs available to
assist with costs related to audiology services and hearing
aids.
Speech/Language
- There are numerous organizations and programs available to
assist with costs related to speech-language pathology services
and assistive technology.
Additional Tools
Remember, consumers do have a say in their health insurance
plans. To learn more about how to influence change in your plan
check out the additional tools below:
Brochure: Making Sense of your Health Insurance Plan
[PDF] - Use this as a quick guide to understanding your health
insurance
Employer Insurance
Packet
- Talk to your employers about adequate private health insurance
coverage
Adding Speech,
Language, and Hearing Benefits to Your Policy
- Tell your employers to check this page out to get the answers
they need about adding valuable speech, language, and hearing
benefits to your current insurance policy
Legislating
Health Plan Coverage for: Hearing Aids for Children, Cognitive
Rehabilitation, and Autism Related Services
- Learn how to become an advocate for improved coverage at the
state level.
Success Stories: See how others have advocated for better
coverage and won
ASHA's
"Model Benefits" for Services
- Learn about ideal health plan coverage for speech and hearing
services
Health
Savings Accounts: Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Coverage
[PDF] (flyer) - Learn how you can get speech, language, and
hearing services covered through a Health Savings Account
Advocate for Better Coverage
- Contact policymakers about private health insurance, Medicare,
or Medicaid coverage