Speech therapy is often covered by medical insurance plans as a type of rehabilitative therapy, but the extent of coverage may vary. To find out if your insurance plan covers speech therapy, you can:
- Check your plan
Review your plan's benefit document for coverage details. Some plans may only cover a limited number of visits, while others may cover a wider range of services.
- Contact your insurance company
You can call your health insurance company to ask if they cover speech therapists in your area and if they cover online speech therapy.
- Check with your speech therapist
Your speech therapist's office may be able to tell you if they accept your insurance plan and what out-of-pocket costs may apply.
Some common limitations and exclusions for speech therapy coverage include:
- No coverage for developmental or congenital disorders
- Only coverage for acquired disorders or restorative or rehabilitative treatment
- No coverage for certain disorders, such as autism or stuttering
- Limits on the number of therapy sessions or the dollar amount that will be reimbursed
- Coverage may be limited to certain settings, such as a clinic or hospital
- No coverage for devices like hearing aids or speech-generating devices
- Health insurance
Some health insurance programs, like Medicare, private health insurance, and flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA), may cover speech therapy. You can check your health plan for coverage of speech therapy, rehabilitation services, and other medically necessary services. If your plan doesn't cover out-of-network providers, you can request a gap exception.
- Medicaid
Medicaid is a publicly funded insurance program that may cover speech therapy for some children. Eligibility varies by state, but some states have programs that waive income requirements for children with chronic health conditions or severe disabilities.
- Local agencies
Local agencies may receive donations or private funds to help with various needs, including speech and hearing centers. You can check your phone book for local programs and ask about funding.
- Grants
You can try applying for a grant through DonorsChoose.org. DonorsChoose encourages fundraising among personal connections, but anonymous donors may also help fund projects. Projects that are $300 or less are more likely to be successful, and it's better to apply for several smaller projects instead of one large one
There are many ways to pay for speech therapy, including:
- Private health insurance: Some or all speech therapy sessions may be covered by your private health insurance policy. However, coverage can vary widely, and some plans may only cover a limited number of visits or services. You can check with your insurance plan to see what's covered and what the terms are. You can also check with the speech therapist's office to see if they accept your insurance and what out-of-pocket costs may be.
- Medicare: Medicare may cover some of the cost of speech therapy for senior citizens.
- Medicaid: You may be eligible for Medicaid if you have a low income. You can find information on Medicaid health plans and services on the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care webpage.
- Scholarships: Some organizations offer scholarships to people who need speech therapy.
- Early intervention programs: Young children may be able to receive free or low-cost therapy through their state's early intervention program. These programs are available for children from birth to 2 years, 11 months old, but they can be underfunded, so access may be limited.
- Private pay: You can pay for speech therapy out-of-pocket, but the cost will vary depending on the type of therapy and the therapist. Online speech therapy may be a more affordable option because of reduced overhead costs.
Before starting speech therapy, you may also need to pay for a speech and language evaluation, which can cost between $250–$700.
Some options that may be more affordable include:
- Early intervention programs
These programs are often offered through public schools or community organizations and may offer free or low-cost speech therapy. However, the frequency of visits and choice of therapists may be limited.
- Online speech therapy
Some online speech therapy providers may be more affordable than in-person clinics and may accept insurance or offer financial aid.
Speech therapy can be expensive, with the average cost per session ranging from $100–$250 for children and adults, not including insurance. However, the cost can vary depending on several factors, including:
- Length of treatment: The longer the treatment, the more expensive it will be.
- Severity of condition: The severity of the condition can affect the cost.
- Insurance coverage: Outpatient clinics often accept insurance, but you may need to pay a copay or the full amount until you meet your deductible. Some insurance companies, like Medicare Advantage, may also reimburse you for speech therapy.
- Location: The cost of speech therapy can vary by region.
- Therapist qualifications: The qualifications of the therapist can affect the cost.
- Client needs: The specific needs of the client can affect the cost.