ASHA Advocate: January 31, 2025

January 31, 2025


Advocacy to Address Medicare Payment Cuts and Extend Telehealth Coverage

Medicare Advocacy

Despite a temporary extension to telehealth coverage for nonphysician providers and minor Medicare Part B payment cut mitigations, audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have faced a roughly 2.8% payment cut since January 1, 2025. And they face an uncertain future with telehealth. ASHA is working to reintroduce bills that would add audiologists and SLPs as permanent Medicare telehealth providers and further reduce Medicare payment cuts. However, the earliest we will likely see action on these issues is March 14, 2025, which is the deadline for Congress to pass the next federal funding bill. Take Action to reduce Medicare cuts and extend telehealth coverage in 2025.

Take Action

Presidential Executive Orders Update

The unprecedented number of executive orders signed by the new Administration has the potential to significantly impact you and your work in health and education.

ASHA is thoroughly reviewing these executive orders. In the coming days, we’ll provide an initial assessment of the orders that could directly impact our professions, including research, academic training, and service delivery. The assessment will also inform our ongoing development of tools and resources for you, our advocacy efforts, and actions you can take. We’ll continue to update you as these issues evolve and as we better understand their practical implications. Please keep an eye on your inbox.

 

2024 Advocacy Advancements

Advocacy by ASHA members and staff helped secure important policy victories in 2024 for audiologists, SLPs, audiology and speech-language pathology assistants, and the people you serve. ASHA advocates sent 58,079 letters to federal and state legislators and had 178 meetings with federal legislators. ASHA-PAC donors raised $191,561. Other advocacy victories include: Four states and one territory joined the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, multiple states saw beneficial payment and payment policy updates, Congress reduced Medicare Part B payment cuts by half for 2024, and much, much more. Learn more about what ASHA advocates achieved in 2024.

Continued Efforts on F Code Misclassifications

After multiple attempts to address issues directly with payers regarding F code misclassifications went unresolved, ASHA has begun a messaging campaign with state insurance commissioners to address improperly processed claims. Providers who have experienced denials or inappropriate payment under the mental health benefit are encouraged to submit complaints directly to their state insurance commissioner. We have developed guidance to help you draft your complaint: ASHA Insurance Commissioner Template Letter [DOCX]. With some editing, patients can also use this template letter.

For more background on the issue, see: F Code Misclassification by Certain Payers.

Capitol Hill Visits to Advocate for Medicaid

Medicaid Hill DayOver the past month, ASHA Advocacy has been meeting with members of Congress to emphasize the importance of protecting Medicaid so that ASHA members can continue to provide services to people with disabilities and low-income families. Congressional leaders are discussing potential Medicaid cuts, so ASHA advocates are making sure they know how critical this safety net program is!

Advocates Defend Student Access to Care Inside and Outside of School

On December 27, 2024, after extensive advocacy from ASHA and other stakeholders, the Department of Education withdrew a proposed rule that would have removed the requirement for parental consent to bill Medicaid prior to accessing for the first time a child’s Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) benefits to provide or pay for required Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Services. This is important because it helps protect children who need audiology and speech-language pathology services in school, at home, and in community-based settings and allows parents and their children’s providers to determine the full array of services they need.

Working for You

  • Developed a Take Action campaign urging Congress to preserve audiologists’ and SLPs’ ability to provide services through telehealth to Medicare beneficiaries.
  • Developed a Take Action campaign urging Congress to reverse reductions to Medicare Part B payments in 2025.
  • Developed a Take Action campaign urging Congress to preserve the U.S. Department of Education’s role in ensuring access to audiology and speech-language pathology services that support student success.
  • Signed a letter led by the Disability and Aging Collaborative and the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities to leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee opposing Medicaid cuts, work requirements, or any program changes that limit funding or eligibility.
  • Signed a letter to Congress led by the Patients Access to Responsible Care Alliance explaining the critical role nonphysician clinicians, such as audiologists and SLPs, play in ensuring access to essential health care services.
  • Met with Kaiser and the California Speech Language Hearing Association to discuss their recent policy changes, including care model shifts and discharge criteria.
  • Submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the 2026 Medicare Advantage proposed rule [PDF].
  • Provided prefile comments to the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV) and subsequent testimony [PDF] before the Virginia Health Professions Subcommittee on proposed SLPA requirements.
  • Submitted a comment letter clarifying the legislative requirements for SLPAs in North Dakota.
  • Submitted a comment letter regarding legislation for SLPAs outside of school settings for Colorado.
  • Worked with the Rhode Island Speech and Hearing Association on prefile SLPA legislative language.

Spotlight!

Former ASHA VP for Government Affairs and Public Policy Deborah Ross Swain, EdD, CCC-SLP, leveraged the relationship she has developed with U.S. Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) to facilitate a site visit to The Swain Center for Listening, Communicating and Learning, where she serves as the clinical director and CEO. Dr. Swain emphasized the importance of ensuring access to early intervention services and support for children to facilitate speech, language, and cognitive development. Rep. Thompson, who co-chairs the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus, received the ASHA Public Service Award in 2021 for his support of audiologists and SLPs. Learn how you can become an ASHA advocate today!

Mike Thompson Visits Deb Ross Swain's Clinic


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