ASHA Advocate: September 18, 2026
September 18, 2026
Medicare Part B Comment Period Closes and AMA Releases 2027 Code Book
ASHA submitted formal comments [PDF] to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. ASHA urged CMS to ensure that Medicare payment accurately reflects the clinical work and practice expenses required to provide audiology and speech-language pathology services, reduce unnecessary administrative burden, and protect beneficiary access to medically necessary care. ASHA also submitted petitions signed by audiologists [PDF] and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) [PDF].
The American Medical Association released the released the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) 2027 code set, including the code numbers for the new audiology and speech-language pathology codes. ASHA has updated its resources to reflect the new code numbers.
The final rule will be released in November. ASHA’s advocacy efforts continue and members are urged to take action by writing to Congress on issues such as MPPR, telehealth, the Efficiency Adjustment Act, and more.
ASHA Urges Member and School District Participation in National Study of Special Education Spending
The Institute of Education Sciences is collecting data for the National Study of Special Education Spending. This study would produce the first comprehensive picture of special education costs and funding sources in more than two decades—and could play a key role in supporting school-based audiologists and SLPs. Read more about how you can help.
Congress Passes Resolution Blocking OMB Funding Rule Through December 11
ASHA Advocates Submit 6,000 Letters to Congress
ASHA advocates submitted over 6,000 letters over the past couple of weeks for ASHA’s 2026 Capitol Hill Day advocates to deliver next week. ASHA staff printed and sorted the letters, which include topics like Medicare payment, Medicaid, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and research funding. North Carolina, Texas, Florida, California, and New York are the top contributing states. Thank you to those who took time to make your voice heard!
Honor the Policymakers Who Help Advance Our Professions
Advocacy Win in Pennsylvania!
Pennsylvania insurer Jefferson Health Plans rescinded a policy that limited access to AAC intervention following advocacy by ASHA [PDF] and the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
ASHA Working for You
- Protecting access to care by meeting with the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (“CCIIO”) to discuss access to medically necessary therapy for Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans.
- Elevating the voices of the professions by submitting petitions on behalf of audiologists and SLPs urging CMS to address issues in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule.
- Advocating to improve the transparency, consistency, and accountability of the prior authorization process by submitting a letter [PDF] to CMS responding to the 2027 outpatient hospital prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule.
- Fighting for fair noncompliance evaluations by submitting a letter to CMS outlining the need for objective criteria, clear standards, and appropriate safeguards.
Find more comments and testimony letters on ASHA's website.
Spotlight
Thank you to the audiology students who visited ASHA’s National Office to learn more about the association, their future professional landscape, and how to advocate for their profession! ASHA Advocacy joined these energized advocates to discuss important topics like state advocacy, Medicare, Medicaid, Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, and the fundamentals of being an advocate.
Honor the Policymakers Who Help Advance Our Professions
Now that the new CPT codes for audiology and speech-language pathology are live, check out ASHA’s updated news analysis resource that lists the codes, explains other Medicare policy updates, provides advocacy opportunities for members, and more.
