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How to find a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) 

In the below videos, we walk the path with you through several of the major insurers website to find a provider in the network and other avenues.

AETNA - How to find a SLP Provider

We showed how to find a SLP for Provider In network.  If you are a Provider and would like to join the AETNA network, start here (https://www.aetna.com/health-care-professionals/forms/facility-request-to-join-network-form.html  ).

In this video you will be walked through an example of how to find a Speech Language Pathologist in the Aetna Healthcare network.  You will have to be a member of the insurer in order to be in their network.

  1. First go to the Aetna Healthcare website: aetna.com.

  2. Click on Individuals.

  3. Scroll down to the link for Find a doctor.

  4. Look for the Guest selections and choose which one you are.  Select the correct plan that you are associated.  If you have this insurance through your Employer select “Plan from an Employer”.  If you are on Medicaid or Medicare choose that selection.  In this video we will go through the Employer plan scenario.

  5. Use the criteria on the right to “Continue as a guest” entering your zip code to perform the search, and make the area to search as wide as you wish by scrolling the dial.

  6. Now look on the back of your Medical insurance card where you will find which Network Plan you are assigned.  In this example, the network plan is for Elect Choice® EPO (Open Access).  Click Continue.

  7. Type in “Speech language” and the popup will come up, select the Speech Therapist option.

  8. The list will be the SLPs that are in network that meet the search criteria provided.  Therefore, the insurer will have some coverage for some of the costs if you use a Speech Language Pathologist that is listed in network.  You will still need to call your individual insurer to find out the details of how much your plan will cover.

  9. You can refine your search using the refine tools at the top of the screen here.

  10. In this list you will now need to call and match with one of these Providers that has the same type of goal in therapy as you in order to have the most success.

Please keep going, now it’s time for you to take the next step and make the phone call to continue your journey.

Anthem and/or Blue Cross Blue Shield - How to find a SLP Provider

We showed how to find a SLP for Provider In network. If you are a Provider and would like to join the Anthem network, start here: https://www.anthem.com/provider/enrollment/

In this video you will be walked through an example of how to find a Speech Language Pathologist in the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield network.  You will have to be a member of the insurer in order to be in their network.  For example, if you have a Blue Cross for Tennessee plan you will still use Anthem’s portal.  Any Anthem or Blue Cross Blue Shield will use anthem’s website.

  1. First go to the Anthem Blue Cross BlueShield website: anthem.com.

  2. Choose Guest.

  3. Click on find care: where you will choose Clinical.

  4. Select the State you live or are searching for information. Selecting KY here.

  5. Select the Plan: Medical Networks.

  6. Look on the back of your Medical insurance card where you will find which Network Plan you are assigned.

  7. The network in this example is Blue Access.

  8. Now we have your plan we want to find resources near you, so type in your zip code.

  9. The next prompt will be for the type of service.  The keyword to search is: speech language.  A speech language pathologist selection will come up in the search bar as an option which you will then select.

  10. The list will be the SLPs that are in network that meet the search criteria provided.  Therefore, the insurer will have some coverage for some of the costs if you use a Speech Language Pathologist that is listed in network.  You will still need to call your individual insurer to find out the details of how much your plan will cover.

  11. In this list you will now need to call and match with one of these Providers that has the same type of goal in therapy as you in order to have the most success.

Please keep going, now it’s time for you to take the next step and make the phone call to continue your journey. 

Cigna - How to find a SLP Provider

We showed how to find a SLP for Provider In network. If you are a Provider and would like to join the Cigna network, start here: https://www.cigna.com/health-care-providers/credentialing/join-medical-network

In this video you will be walked through an example of how to find a Speech Language Pathologist in the Cignad network.  You will have to be a member of the insurer in order to be in their network.  

  1. First go to the Cigna.com

  2. Choose Find a Doctor, Dentist, or Facility

  3. Click on how you are covered: Employer, School, Medicare, etc.

  4. Type in the Zip code or City you are searching for information. Selecting one in Kentucky here.

  5. Select the way you are searching: Doctor by Type

  6. The next prompt will be for the type of service.  The keyword to search is: speech language.  A speech language pathologist selection will come up in the search bar as an option which you will then select.

  7. Continue as a Guest unless you have a login

  8. Look on the back of your Medical insurance card where you will find which Network Plan you are assigned.

  9. The network in this example is PPO, Choice Fund, PPO.

  10. The list will be the SLPs that are in network that meet the search criteria provided.  Therefore, the insurer will have some coverage for some of the costs if you use a Speech Language Pathologist that is listed in network.  You will still need to call your individual insurer to find out the details of how much your plan will cover or login

  11. In this list you will now need to call and match with one of these Providers that has the same type of goal in therapy as you in order to have the most success.

Please keep going, now it’s time for you to take the next step and make the phone call to continue your journey. 

Humana - How to find a SLP Provider

We showed how to find a SLP for Provider In network. If you are a Provider and would like to join the Humana network, start here: 
https://www.humana.com/provider/medical-resources/join-humana-network

In this video you will be walked through an example of how to find a Speech Language Pathologist in the Humana network.  You will have to be a member of the insurer in order to be in their network.  

  1. First go to the Humana website: humana.com.

  2. The fastest way to find a Provider is to scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Find a Doctor”.

  3. Fill in the Radius Distance as 100 miles in order to get a good list of Providers in the surrounding area if you are able to travel those distances.

  4. Type in your Zip Code.

  5. Select a Look up Method, where a popup will appear.  In this case we are searching by “Coverage Type”.

  6. Select “Insurance through your employer”, but if you have Medicare or Medicaid select those and continue.

  7. Select “In network”, look on the back of your Medical insurance card where you will find which Network Plan you are assigned.  In this example the plan is for EPO Open Access.

  8. In the next selection, use the search category Specialty.  Type in “Speech Language Pathologist” in the Name, specialty, condition field.

  9. Click the Search button.

  10. The list will be the SLPs that are in network that meet the search criteria provided.  Therefore, the insurer will have some coverage for some of the costs if you use a Speech Language Pathologist that is listed in network.  You will still need to call your individual insurer to find out the details of how much your plan will cover.

  11. On the left, you can filter to refine your search.

  12. In this list you will now need to call and match with one of these Providers that has the same type of goal in therapy as you in order to have the most success.

Please keep going, now it’s time for you to take the next step and make the phone call to continue your journey.

United Healthcare or UMR - How to find a SLP Provider

We showed how to find a SLP for Provider In network.  If you are a Provider and would like to join the United Healthcare network, start here: https://www.uhcprovider.com/en/resource-library/Join-Our-Network.html

In this video you will be walked through an example of how to find a Speech Language Pathologist in the United Healthcare or UMR network.  You will have to be a member of the insurer in order to be in their network.

  1. First go to the United Healthcare website: uhc.com.

  2. Click Find a Doctor in or to find a Speech Language Pathologist.

  3. Click the General Provider List on the page.

  4. Select the Medical Directory.

  5. Select the correct plan that you are associated.  If you have health insurance through your employer or an individual click the Employer Plan.  If you are on Medicaid or Medicare choose that selection.  In this video we will go through the Employer plan scenario.

  6. Now look on the back of your Medical insurance card where you will find which Network Plan you are assigned.  In this example, the network plan is for UHC Freedom EPO.

  7. The location is autofilled where you are based on your computer.  In the text field fill in searching for, “Speech language pathologist” and click Search.

  8. Confirm on the next page by selecting the Speech Therapist.

  9. The list will be the SLPs that are in network that meet the search criteria provided.  Therefore, the insurer will have some coverage for some of the costs if you use a Speech Language Pathologist that is listed in network.  You will still need to call your individual insurer to find out the details of how much your plan will cover.

  10. On the left, you can filter to refine your search.

  11. In this list you will now need to call and match with one of these Providers that has the same type of goal in therapy as you in order to have the most success.

 

Please keep going, now it’s time for you to take the next step and make the phone call to continue your journey.

Other Employer Insurance

How to find a SLP Provider

Contact your HR 800 number on the back of your card.  Then, ask the following questions:

  1. How many speech therapy visits are covered under my plan?

  2. Can you assist me in finding a local Speech Language Pathologist?

Career Cards

Self Employed or non-insured individuals

How to Find a SLP Provider

There are some options to minimize the out of pocket costs. Examples, include utilizing an Employee Assistance Program, a Health Savings Account, or a Flexible Spending Account.

Government, Medicare, and Medicaid Insurance

How to Find a SLP Provider

You will utilize the insurance company that has your plan.  Find the Government, Medicare, or Medicaid plan.

  1. Check on the back of your insurance id card.

  2. Review and confirm which insurance carrier has your plan.

  3. Go to that insurance carrier’s website.

  4. Click on Find a Provider.

  5. Click on the network you are in.

  6. Continue until you get to search for a speech therapist.

Image by Zac Nielson
Image by Markus Frieauff

School - How to Find a SLP Provider

Back to School

Children or pre-school aged individuals needing speech therapy will be able to utilize free education services through their public or private school system.  It is under federal law these institutions must provide these services to students.  Contact the school corporation in your residential area to start an IEP (Individualized Education Plan).  You can start these services before a child reached kindergarten.  An internet browser search for “local school corporation” should help get you to one that is near you.  If you are having trouble try finding out what systems a local school is in.    

See the Stuttering Foundation Brochure (https://www.stutteringhelp.org/sites/default/files/Migrate/0113sped.pdf )

Different school districts have varying guidelines.  Therefore, if a child who stutters has a mild case they may not get free resources through the federal programs.

Counseling or a Therapist - How to Find different type of Provider

Image by Jared Rice

Stuttering is a complex disorder that could cause you or your family the need for some extra help.  You might find it beneficial to be able to speak to a licensed counselor or behavioral therapist about any negative experience or thoughts you might be thinking about stuttering. Be sure to check with your employer to see if they have an employee assistance program (EAP).  If the child or adult has one, get the number to call since many of these programs offer a number of free visits.  If they offer any free visits, be sure to use those before any other option that utilize your insurance to reduce the cost.

Employee Assistance Program - How to Find a Provider

Image by Gilles Roux

Find out from Human Resources if you have this type of Program at your organization.  Then, obtain the number to call and get services.  These programs are designed to benefit employees in various ways.  Many of these programs will offer a certain number of free visits through Providers that they work closely.  You must go through the program to receive the benefit.  The program might even be able to offer speech therapy or other counseling.  When you call the number, you will need to state you are looking for a therapist and tell them what kind.  You will provide them basic information about yourself, an address, and maybe an email.

If you know the specific therapist you want to see.  When you call if they are not in the EAP network, the Provider will have to initiate the contract that might take time depending on the insurer and the Provider.

Most programs require you to have an authorization to receive the free service for each incident.

Here are some possible steps with one EAP that would occur so you know what to expect:

  1. Call the EAP 800 number

  2. Tell them you need a therapist

  3. Provide your zip code

  4. Tell the representative how many miles you want in the search for a Provider

  5. The representative should be able to provide an authorization

  6. Pick a therapist for yourself

  7. The representative will provide what you need to go see the therapist with the authorization

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