Medicare Payment for Outpatient Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Services
The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System
ASHA provides information on payment for audiology and speech-language pathology Medicare services provided in all outpatient settings, including in-depth analysis of relevant policy changes and national payment rates.
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The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS)
Audiology and speech-language pathology services under Medicare Part B (outpatient) have reimbursement rates established by the MPFS regardless of provider setting, except for outpatient audiology services provided in hospitals. ASHA provides information on the MPFS for audiologists and SLPs, including in-depth analysis of relevant policy changes and revisions to the fee schedule, Medicare Part B payment rules, geographic adjustment calculations, and new developments each calendar year. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updates the fee schedule annually for implementation on January 1.
Analysis of the 2026 MPFS
ASHA's analysis of the 2025 MPFS provides an overview of relevant policy changes and calculates the updated national average payment amounts for audiologists and SLPs, including a comparison with 2024 payment rates to help clinicians estimate the impact of the Medicare cuts.
- New! 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule for Audiologists [PDF]
- New! 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule for Speech-Language Pathologists [PDF]
Analysis of the 2025 MPFS
- 2025 Medicare Fee Schedule for Audiologists [PDF]
- 2025 Medicare Fee Schedule for Speech-Language Pathologists [PDF]
Understanding the Medicare Fee Schedule
- Overview of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
- Calculating Medicare Fee Schedule Rates
- The Medicare Quality Payment Program
- Audiology Payment Rules
- Speech-Language Pathology Payment Rules
The Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)
Medicare pays for hospital-based outpatient audiology services under the OPPS. Speech-language pathology services performed in hospital outpatient clinics are billed fee-for-service through the MPFS, with the exception of a few CPT codes not classified as “always” or “sometimes” therapy codes. CMS updates the OPPS annually for implementation on January 1. For information on 2025 updates, see CMS Issues 2025 Payment Policies for Outpatient Hospital Departments. CMS has not yet released 2026 OPPS updates.
