Private Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
Featured Resources
Whether you see a few clients privately or are looking to build a full-time business, the following resources can help you establish a private practice. Some areas you may want to consider when starting a private practice as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) include:
- building a business plan,
- familiarizing yourself with ethical considerations for private practice,
- learning about local and state regulations,
- obtaining liability insurance,
- considering documentation,
- learning about billing and reimbursement,
- thinking about service delivery, and
- engaging in networking and career development.
Building a Business Plan
Establishing a private practice can feel overwhelming. It helps to start with a clearly defined business plan. Check out ASHA’s Developing a Business Plan webpage for more information about what a private practice SLP should include in their business plan.
Consider the type of business entity you want to establish—and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Depending on your business structure and location, you may need to register your business. The Small Business Administration provides guidance to help business owners do this.
You may also consider working with professionals in your state to help you understand local and state regulatory requirements. Consulting with a small business attorney certified and licensed in your state may provide important information about establishing the business. Certified and licensed accountants can offer additional guidance about financial structure and tax implications.
Marketing
Once you’re ready to start seeing private clients, you’ll want to start building your caseload—this means getting the word out. There are many ways to advertise your business in your community.
- You can use these Tips to Elevate Your Private Practice Marketing and Other Marketing Considerations.
- ASHA-certified professionals can advertise their services to the public from ASHA’s website once they join ASHA’s ProFind.
- Owners with growing practices can consider posting job opportunities on the ASHA Career Portal.
Addressing Ethical Considerations
The ASHA Code of Ethics (i.e., “the Code”) is a framework and guide for day-to-day decision making and professional conduct. In addition to the Code, you’ll need to follow any state professional and business licensing regulations that may apply.
ASHA Issues in Ethics Statements offer guidance on topics relevant to practice owners, such as how to handle Prescription (i.e., Referral).
Everyday Ethics is an ASHA Leader blog series in which ASHA’s director of ethics discusses ethical issues relevant to audiologists and SLPs.
Learning About Local and State Regulations
The ASHA State-by-State pages include contacts to state licensure boards and information regarding SLP and support personnel licensure.
Obtaining Liability Insurance
Professional liability insurance differs from standard liability insurance as it provides coverage of clinical services rather than liability coverage of your physical office or service location.
ASHA members can obtain discounted professional liability insurance—you can find more information on the ASHA Member Bonus Benefits webpage.
Considering Documentation
Documentation is a critical vehicle that a private practice SLP uses to communicate clearly with clients, families, payers, and other clinical service providers. SLPs are autonomous professionals. However, a physician’s order or prescription may be required for reimbursement from third-party payers such as Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance companies.
When initiating services, it will be important to provide contracts or statements of understanding. If you serve individual clients, you’ll need to provide them a good-faith estimate before starting services or at any time during treatment.
Some clinicians use companies to handle their documentation and billing. Some clinicians create their own templates and tools. No matter how you maintain your records, it’s important to understand your responsibilities related to complying with HIPAA—the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—and protecting employee personally identifiable information.
An independent clinician may work as a contractor in health care or school-based settings. It is important to know the differences between documentation in health care and documentation in schools.
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Practice Management Software
There are many EMR and practice management software options on the market. Some products are designed for individual or small practices and others are better equipped to work for larger organizations. Consider what features are important to you and your practice. See this article from the ASHA Leader about choosing electronic health record software for your practice.
Learning About Billing and Reimbursement
Clinicians working in private practice can receive payment from clients or direct payment from an insurance provider. Even if you only take private pay, you’ll need to learn about coding for reimbursement related to audiology and speech-language pathology services.
Superbill
A private practice can use a form called a superbill to report key information required for the submittal of health care claims to payers. It includes patient information, billing codes, and your practice’s established fees. ASHA provides a superbill template for SLPs. You can edit and customize the template, which then serves as an itemized record of services that you can give directly to the patient.
No Surprises Act
As of January 1, 2022, audiologists and SLPs are required by law to provide a good-faith estimate to every new and established patient who is either seeking treatment as a self-pay patient or is considered out-of-network with you as a provider. Learn more about the No Surprises Act and how it impacts you as a private practice SLP.
Setting Rates
A full-time private practitioner needs to consider both direct and indirect costs for providing clinical services. See ASHA’s Frequently Asked Questions About Business Practices webpage for information about what you should consider when establishing fees.
For more information, explore ASHA’s webpages on billing and reimbursement. For specific questions about coding and payment, contact ASHA’s Reimbursement Team at reimbursement@ASHA.org.
Thinking About Service Delivery
The following information assists in understanding the nuances of service delivery—including providing telepractice service, hiring and supervising speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) and/or clinical fellows. Providing counseling and culturally competent speech-language pathology services are important for all clinicians—and you can implement these processes in your private practice. The resources on ASHA’s Service Delivery Resource webpage and Practice Management webpage can help you keep your clinical services successful and relevant.
Assessment Resources
Engaging in Networking and Career Development
In addition to connecting with other ASHA members, consider establishing relationships with professionals and other business owners in your community. This may include your local Chamber of Commerce, local networking groups, and reputable referral sources.
Consider joining ASHA’s SLP Private Practice Online Community, which is free to ASHA members. ASHA members also have the option to join one of ASHA's 20 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to connect with colleagues who share common interest areas.
Find more private practice resources on ASHA’s Career Portal.
Other Networking Opportunities
- American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA)
- The Corporate Speech Pathology Network (Corspan)
For questions or more information, contact ASHA’s Clinical Issues Team at SLPInfo@asha.org.
