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Speech-Language Equivalency
Back to issuesIssue Summary: Speech-Language Equivalency
Following the passage of AB 2837 in 2006, a bill which established new educational and work requirements for preliminary and professional clear speech-language pathology (SLP) credentials in California, an opinion was issued by the California Attorney General making clear that the credentialing requirements for SLPs with preliminary or professional clear services credentials (as defined by Education Code Section 44265.3) are equivalent to the federal credentialing standards and requirements for the purpose of claiming Medicaid reimbursements.
On the heels of this announcement, DHCS and the LEA Ad-Hoc Workgroup began working to incorporate the ruling into a state plan amendment (SPA), which would establish equivalency and remove the supervision restrictions on credentialed SLPs billing for services under the LEA Billing program in California.
DHCS received the long-awaited approval for SPA 05-010 in December 2011. This amendment to California's State Plan incorporates equivalency for preliminary or professional credentialed SLPs as "speech pathologist" under the federal standard. As such, CMS has approved the removal of supervision requirements for provision of services by preliminary or professional clear credentialed SLPs under the LEA Billing program, a big step in the efforts of DHCS and the LEA Ad-Hoc Workgroup to enhance LEA Billing program benefits.
Related News and Events: Speech Equivalency
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Determining Which Speech-Language Credentialed Providers Require Supervision to Bill Under the California LEA Billing Option Program
Paradigm HealthCare Services Feb 27, 2012
Following the approval of California State Plan Amendment (SPA) 05-010, supervision is no longer required for Local Education Agency (LEA) providers holding a preliminary or professional clear credential in speech-language pathology to bill eligible assessments and treatments under the LEA Billing Option program. This guide is intended to help LEA coordinators determine how SPA 05-010 will affect providers in their districts who may carry a wide range of credentials related to speech, hearing, and audiology. -
CMS Approves California SPA 05-010, Removing Supervision Requirements for Credentialed SLPs
Paradigm HealthCare Services Dec 16, 2011
Sacramento, CA - December 16, 2011 - The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has received approval for State Plan Amendment (SPA) 05-010 from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This amendment removes the supervision requirements for certain credentialed speech-language pathologists under the LEA Billing program and is back-dated to October 1, 2009.*
Related Paradigm Publications: Speech Equivalency
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2011 Legislative and Regulatory Review
Paradigm HealthCare Services Jan 18, 2012
Paradigm's Legislative and Regulatory Review is an annual review of federal and California state legislation and regulation that have impacted, or are projected to impact, school-based Medicaid billing and reimbursement programs; this publication is current at time of release, January 2012.
Related Library Files: Speech Equivalency
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PPL 12-008
California Department of Health Care Services Apr 17, 2012
Notification of California State Plan Amendment Number 05-010 Regarding the Supervision Requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists Under the Local Educational Agency Medi-Cal Billing Option Program -
California State Plan Amendment (SPA) 05-010
California Department of Health Care Services Dec 16, 2011
SPA 05-010 removes the supervision requirements for credentialed Speech-Language Pathologists under the LEA billing option program, resolving what has been referred to in California as the Speech-Language Equivalency issue. -
DHCS Report to the Legislature, May 2010
California Department of Health Care Services May 30, 2010
Report Period April 2009 through May 2010 -
DHCS Report to the Legislature, March 2009
California Department of Health Care Services Apr 01, 2009
Report period: April 2008-March 2009 -
California Attorney General Opinion No. 06-1011: Speech-Language Equivalency
Office of the Attorney General, State of California Nov 30, 2006
An opinion issued by California Attorney General, Bill Lockyer, on the equivalency of preliminary and clear credentialed speech-language pathologists to federal standards governing Medicaid reimbursement to speech pathologists. -
California Assembly Bill No. 2837 (AB 2837) - 2006
California Legislature Sep 28, 2006
An act to add Section 44265.3 to the Education Code, and to amend Section 14132.06 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to speech-language pathologists, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately. This bill was a foundational document in establishing speech-language equivalency in California for credentialed SLPs. -
DHCS Report to the Legislature, September 2006
California Department of Health Care Services Jan 29, 2006
Report Period April 2005 to March 2006 (With Additional information for January 2003 through March 2005)