Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
It’s not always easy to understand health insurance and how it works. If you or a loved one needs speech therapy, you may be looking for a speech therapist that accepts Medicaid. You may be wondering if Medicaid even covers speech therapy. We’re here to help you find the answers. At Expressable, our mission is to make it easier for people to access the speech therapy services they need. That's why we put together this expert guide to finding speech therapy covered by Medicaid.
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Get startedDoes Medicaid cover speech therapy?
Medicaid is a public health insurance program provided by the United States government. Medicaid helps low-income individuals and families pay for medical expenses, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications. Eligibility for Medicaid varies by state. It’s based on factors like your income and household size. If you qualify for Medicaid, the program can help you get the healthcare you need without worrying about paying for it all yourself. In many cases, Medicaid will cover speech therapy if it's medically necessary and authorized. Medical necessity refers to how speech therapy services directly impact a person’s medical well-being. One of our speech therapists, Laura Thorburn, M.S., CCC-SLP, gives some examples. “A child may need therapy for expressive language so they can communicate everyday needs for their own safety,” she says. “Or, an adult may need swallowing services after a stroke so they can safely eat and drink as independently as possible.”
How to get speech therapy through Medicaid
Wondering how you can find a speech therapist who accepts Medicaid? Try these tips:
1 Check Medicaid provider directories
Most Medicaid programs have online directories where you can search for healthcare providers. Try your state's Medicaid website. You can also contact your local Medicaid agency to ask for a list of speech therapists who accept Medicaid in your area.
2 Contact Medicaid managed care plans
Medicaid managed care plans usually have their own provider networks. This is a group of doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals that the plan contracts with to provide medical care to its members. If you are enrolled in a managed care plan, contact your plan’s member services department to ask about speech therapists that are in their network.
3 Ask for referrals
Ask your primary care provider (PCP) or pediatrician for recommendations for speech therapists.
4 Consider online speech therapy
At Expressable, our goal is to expand access to high-quality speech therapy, so more children and adults can get the support they need to communicate clearly. We work with many different types of health plans, including Medicaid. You can learn more about our insurance and payment options here.
5 Contact local speech therapy clinics
Ask clinics in your area if they accept Medicaid. If they don’t, they might be able to refer you to Medicaid speech therapy providers.
6 Look at online directories and resources
Online directors like Zocdoc and Healthgrades allow you to search for providers based on the insurance they accept, including Medicaid.
7 Contact your state or county health department
Often, your local health department can help you find Medicaid-approved speech therapists in your area.
8 Try support groups and online forums
Thorburn also recommends looking for support groups focused on issues such as speech delay, stuttering, or another communication issue. She says, “People with similar concerns about speech and language problems often join Facebook groups or other community forums. This is a great place to ask for recommendations for Medicaid speech therapy providers.”
How Medicaid covers speech therapy
Once you find a speech therapist, be sure to confirm that they accept Medicaid. It’s also important to know that in order for Medicaid to cover speech therapy, there are some requirements. They can vary by plan or state, but they often include documentation or approvals, such as:
A referral for speech therapy from your assigned primary care provider (PCP)
A plan of care from your speech therapist, signed by your PCP
Authorization from your Medicaid plan (authorizations are used to “obtain permission” from an insurance company so that they will approve and cover services)
Speech therapists that accept Medicaid
At Expressable, we have a large team of licensed speech therapists who accept Medicaid. We work with people of all ages, from toddlers through older adults, to help them communicate more clearly and confidently. You can click here to find a Medicaid speech therapy provider.
Sessions are held online, so you can attend sessions from the comfort of home. Online speech therapy makes it easier for parents to attend alongside their child. That way you can learn from the therapist and help your child at home between sessions. The more they practice, the faster they’ll make progress!
What does online speech therapy look like?
You may be wondering how online speech therapy works. With Expressable, you’ll be matched with a speech therapist who accepts your insurance. Before the first appointment, you’ll be sent a medical history form to fill out so your speech therapist can learn more about the person seeking therapy. You will receive an online link and log onto your first therapy session via Zoom, a simple video conferencing platform. If possible, find a quiet spot in your home for the session. Try to choose a place where you won’t be distracted.
When you log into the video chat, your speech therapist will greet you with a friendly face, just as if you were walking through their office door. Sessions are usually 30 minutes long and take place once or twice a week, depending on the person's needs.
Thorburn works with people of all ages and knows firsthand how beneficial online therapy can be. “I’ve seen so many clients make incredible progress in just a matter of weeks. While everyone progresses at their own pace, online speech therapy can change people’s lives.”
At Expressable, our team will guide you through the Medicaid requirements to make the process as easy as possible. Click here to get started and find a speech therapist. We’re here to help!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Does Medicaid cover speech therapy?
Medicaid covers healthcare services for low-income individuals and families. Medicaid will cover speech therapy if it’s medically necessary and authorized. “Medical necessity” refers to how speech therapy directly impacts a person’s medical well-being.
How do I know if a speech therapist accepts Medicaid?
You can ask the speech therapist or speech therapy company if they accept Medicaid. You can also ask your primary care doctor to recommend a speech therapist, or look at online directories to find a speech therapist that accepts Medicaid.
How can I get speech therapy through Medicaid?
Once you find a speech therapist, you may need certain documentation in order for Medicaid to cover your speech therapy. This might include a referral for speech therapy from your primary care provider (PCP), a plan of care from your speech therapist, or authorization from your Medicaid plan. The requirements can vary by plan or state.
Is online speech therapy covered by Medicaid?
In many cases, yes! Expressable provides online speech therapy across the country, and we are proud to accept Medicaid. We have a team of speech therapists who are available to work with you, your child, or your loved one.
Key takeaways
Speech therapy can be covered by Medicaid if it’s medically necessary. This includes online speech therapy.
There are many ways to find a speech therapist that accepts Medicaid.
In order for Medicaid to cover speech therapy, there are some requirements. They can vary by plan or state, but they often include a referral from your doctor, a care plan from your speech therapist, and authorization from your Medicaid plan.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
