Coronavirus/COVID-19 Updates
Page updated September 30, 8 p.m.
Check this page as well as Facebook and Twitter, ASHA Now and ASHA Headlines emails, and the Leader Live blog for the latest updates. Contact the Action Center (800-498-2071 or actioncenter@asha.org) with any questions.
Recent Updates
- State-by-State Tracking of Laws and Regulations for Telepractice and Licensure Policy [PDF] (Updated 9/27/21)
- Pandemic-Related Social and Communication Challenges: How Audiologists and SLPs Can Help With In-Person Learning (New 9/2/21)
- Using Masks for In-Person Service Delivery During COVID-19: What to Consider (Updated 8/26/21)
- Audiology and SLP Service Delivery Considerations in Early Intervention During Coronavirus (Updated 8/20/21)
Top Resources
- ASHA and AAP: Face Masks Do Not Interfere With Language Development in Children
- AOTA, APTA, and ASHA Call for Professional Action on COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Education
- Pandemic-Related Social and Communication Challenges: How Audiologists and SLPs Can Help With In-Person Learning (New 9/2/21)
- Using Masks for In-Person Service Delivery During COVID-19: What to Consider (Updated 8/26/21)
- COVID-19 Resources to Share With Your Clients and Patients
Online Events
- ICU Management During COVID-19: Consensus Statement to Practice (Recorded January 28, 2021)
- Telepractice Tips and Strategies with SIG 1 (Recorded September 15, 2020)
- Documentation and Service Delivery for the 2020–2021 School Year: Considerations for the School-Based SLP with SIG 16 (Recorded September 10, 2020)
Access all past COVID-19 related events on the archive page.
Messages From ASHA Leadership and Staff
View archived videos, emails, and online event recordings.
ASHA Learning Pass
ASHA members experiencing significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and unable to pay for any professional development programs can get short-term free access to the ASHA Learning Pass. Get more information.
Telepractice
- State-by-State Tracking of Laws and Regulations for Telepractice and Licensure Policy [PDF] (Updated 9/27/21)
- State-by-State Tracking of Laws and Regulations for School-Based Telepractice [PDF]
- COVID-19 Commercial Insurance Telepractice Policy Tracking [PDF]
- COVID-19 Medicaid Telepractice Policy and State Emergency Order Tracking [PDF]
- Swallowing and Feeding Services in Schools via Telepractice During COVID-19
- ASHA Facilitator Checklist for Telepractice Services in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology [PDF]
- Considerations for Speech, Language, and Cognitive Assessment via Telepractice
- Providing Telehealth Services Under Medicare During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Considerations for Group Speech-Language Pathology Treatment in Telepractice
- Payment and Coverage Considerations for Telepractice Services During Coronavirus/COVID-19
- What to Consider Before Beginning Telepractice Services
Find a full resource list for telepractice during COVID-19, including free Perspectives articles, clinical and research-based guidance from the Practice Portal and Evidence Maps, and more.
Public Policy Updates
- CDC Mask Guidelines Update
- Federal Public Health Emergency Extended, Expected Through 2021
- CMS Makes Critical Decision to Expand Medicare Telehealth Coverage for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Services
- American Rescue Plan Headed to President Biden After Senate Passage
- Key Support Provided for Educators, Students, and Small Business Owners
- President Trump Issues Executive Order Memoranda Related to COVID-19
- ASHA Advocates for Safety, Telepractice, Increased Funding, and Flexibility for the Upcoming 2020–2021 School Year
- Paycheck Protection Program Extended Following Congressional Action
- Telehealth Now Allowed for Medicare Part A Services Provided in SNFs
- Medicare Allows Institutional Billing for Some Outpatient Telehealth Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- New COVID-19 Legislation Includes Pandemic Premium Pay, Education Funding, and Other Key Provisions
- Education Secretary DeVos Requests Waiver for the Continuation of IDEA Part C Services Beyond a Child’s 3rd Birthday
- Providing Telehealth Services Under Medicare During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Congress Provides Additional Health Care Funding and Replenishes Small Business Loan Program
See the full archive of advocacy news.
Setting-Specific Resources
Clinical Audiologists and Health Care SLPs
- Research Articles Related to Services During COVID-19
- Service Delivery Considerations in Health Care During COVID-19
- Audiologists Resuming Services During COVID-19
- SLPs Resuming Services in Private Practice and Health Care During COVID-19
- ASHA Guidance to SLPs Regarding Aerosol Generating Procedures
- Virtual Presentation Recording on Role of SLPs in Dysphagia Services During COVID-19
Private Practice
- Serving Clients in Other States and Countries Through Telepractice in a Private Practice
- Service Delivery Considerations in Private Practice in Speech-Language Pathology During COVID-19
- COVID-19: ASHA Virtual Presentation Series on Private Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
- Federal Support for Small Business Owners and Independent Contractors Impacted by COVID-19
- Medicare Accelerated/Advance Payments Program for Enrolled Providers
Early Intervention
- Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Service Delivery Considerations
- COVID-19 IDEA Part C Service Provision [PDF]
- Audiology and SLP Service Delivery Considerations in Early Intervention During Coronavirus (Updated 8/20/21)
- ASHA Voices: It’s a Critical Period...COVID-19 and Early Intervention
- Early Intervention and COVID-19: Advice for Parents of Children Ages 0–3 Whose Services Are Interrupted
- CDC: Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers
- ECTA: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
- U.S. Department of Education:
Educational Audiologists and School-Based SLPs
- Pandemic-Related Social and Communication Challenges: How Audiologists and SLPs Can Help With In-Person Learning (New 9/2/21)
- Hearing Screening Guidelines for SLPs During COVID-19
- Swallowing and Feeding Services in Schools via Telepractice During COVID-19
- ASHA Guidance: Reopening Schools and Possible Safety Strikes Related to COVID-19
- Serving Students in Other States and Countries Through Telepractice
- Resources for Physical and Virtual Reopening
- State School Reopening Plans [PDF]
- Telepractice Checklist for School-Based Professionals [PDF]
- Telepractice Documentation Data Checklist for School-Based SLPs [PDF]
- Considerations Regarding COVID-19 for Schools and Students With Disabilities
- Resuming Services in Schools During COVID-19
- ASHA Workload Calculator (Updated, 4/30/21)
- Recording: COVID-19 ASHA Schools Virtual Town Hall
- U.S. Department of Education:
- Resources and Strategies to Support Children with Disabilities and their Families During COVID-19 [PDF]
- COVID-19 IDEA Part B Provision of Service [PDF]
- Questions and Answers for K-12 Public Schools In the Current COVID-19 Environment [PDF]
- COVID-19 IDEA Part B Procedural Safeguards [PDF]
- COVID-19 IDEA Part B Dispute Resolution Procedures [PDF]
- Serving Children With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic [PDF]
- General K–12 COVID-19 Information and Resources from the U.S. Department of Education
- FERPA and COVID-19 [PDF]
- Impact of COVID-19 on Assessments and Accountability Under ESSA [PDF]
Academics
- Overcoming Challenges in Teaching Speech Science Online with SIG 19 (Recorded May 6, 2020)
- Certification Information and CFCC Guidance for Graduate Student Clinicians and Clinical Fellows
- Resources for the Academic Community During COVID-19
- Updates from National NSSLHA on COVID-19
- A Message From the ASHA Journals Regarding COVID-19
- Update from the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) and the Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC) on COVID-19 and Its Potential Impact to Academic Programs
Other Resources
- Connecting Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists With Mental Health Resources
- Resuming In-Person Services During COVID-19: What to Consider As You Prepare
- Infection Control Resources for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
- CDC: Interim Guidance on Reopening Schools, Healthcare Facilities, and Restaurants [PDF]
- CDC Offers COVID-19 Resources in American Sign Language
- U.S. DOL: COVID-19 and the American Workplace
- CDC: Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019
- World Health Organization: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Advice for the Public
Convention & Events
The 2021 ASHA Convention is scheduled for November 18–20 in Washington, D.C.
Continuing Education
- Need the latest on telepractice, infection control, ethical decision making and more? Use ASHA CE Find to locate courses offered by ASHA‘s 540 approved CE providers.
- See considerations for ASHA CE Providers during COVID-19.
ASHA Marketing Solutions
Volunteer Travel for ASHA Business
All face-to-face committee, board, and council meetings scheduled at the ASHA National Office through December 31, 2021, have been cancelled and will be held virtually instead.
National Office Status
Shipping operations from ASHA’s National Office are being processed and fulfilled up to 7 business days from the order date; please visit the ASHA Store for more information.
The ASHA National Office is working remotely. Staff continue to carry out duties and responsibilities from home, to the fullest extent possible. By practicing social distancing, we can all help to “flatten the curve” and mitigate the spread of the virus.
Members should continue to contact the Action Center (800-498-2071 or actioncenter@asha.org) and other staff as you normally would for routine questions around certification, dues renewal, membership issues, etc.
