Success with BCBS (or anyone else) covering county "infant educator?"

[Anonymous]

DS has some delays in speech (apraxia was mentioned but he has not been formally diagnosed) and, less so, in fine motor skills. However, the county (Fairfax) determined that he was not delayed enough to qualify for speech therapy or occupational therapy. So we have a weekly infant educator (though all the goals are speech-related). Does anyone have an insurance company that covers an infant educator through the county, or does everyone have to pay the family share for that service? The insurance we have now (MDIPA) doesn't cover ST/OT unless it's for rehabilitative purposes so I can't imagine they would cover an infant educator. We're switching to BCBS during federal open season to gain some coverage for ST (which we're doing privately), but I'm doubting they would cover an infant educator either. Our monthly family share for the infant educator is over $500/month, and, while we like her and she gives us some good ideas, I'm just not sure it's worth $500/month (on top of the $550/month we're paying for private ST). Anyone have any experience or suggestions to share? Did your insurance cover the infant educator? Should I maybe just drop down to 2x/month for half the cost or cancel it altogether?

[Anonymous]

How old is your child? I would pay to have a speech evaluation from a private place and then if there is a delay, then take the results back to Early Intervention. If there is no delay and you want services, then pay for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is your child? I would pay to have a speech evaluation from a private place and then if there is a delay, then take the results back to Early Intervention. If there is no delay and you want services, then pay for them.

He's 21 months. As I noted in my OP, he already goes to private speech therapy. His private ST obviously thinks he is delayed, but the county found that isn't quite 25% delayed, which is required to qualify for county speech therapy. The county found that he has a few issues with speech, fine motor skills, and motor planning, but not enough to qualify for a dedicated ST or OT so he gets an infant educator that sort of works on everything. We've got the speech services under control. What we're trying to figure out is whether the infant educator is worth $500/month for what she does on these other little issues, now that we know it won't be covered. And I'm wondering if any insurance would cover it or if everyone just pays out of pocket for an infant educator (finds it worth the cost).