Speech therapist and number of sessions per week

[Anonymous]

This forum recommends private ST several times per week for my jid’s Issue- receptive language disorder for a 3.5 yo. My insurance covers up to 15 sessions with more authorized based on medical necessity. I mentioned this to our new practice/therapist.

First she said- oh yeah I’m almost certain your insurance covers one session per week.
So I called and checked with my insurance- they said “you get 15 sessions and more are authorized if medically necessary”.
After our first meeting, as I was leaving, I told the therapist “oh hey Larla I checked and we can do more than one session per week”.
She said, “well I think your insurance covers one 45 min session or two 30 min sessions, and I prefer 45 min sessions bc I feel like in 30 min we are just getting started and time is up”.

Fair enough, but I’m pretty sure there’s nothing stopping us from having two 45 min sessions weekly!

Should I go back around with her on this one more time? Right now she has coveted spots available on Mondays and Wednesdays after work. I don’t want to drop this now only to decide later that we’d benefit from 2x per week and there’s no longer a good time slot available.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

My kid has been in speech for 7 years and I've always been limited by the once a week rule under various insurance plans Most people combine public and private to get multiple sessions and also do speech camp in the summer

[Anonymous]

Our insurance only allowed for 30 minutes a day but allowed multiple times a week so we did that. Some kids can handle a longer session, others cannot. Mine could but insurance wouldn't pay. I would do twice a week or as often as you can for receptive language at that age. I'd do twice a week in your situation and take those spots.

[Anonymous]

Ours covered hour long sessions multiple times a week. Our therapist never drilled our son but followed his lead in play so he enjoyed the sessions and didn’t complain.

[Anonymous]

She is managing her business - not your insurance.

She prefers 45 minute sessions, which she finds more effective and also allows for an easier schedule (eg all sessions start at top of hour for 45 minutes, then she has 15 minutes to transition your child to you and prepare for next client).

If she allows you to use 2 of the coveted after school sessions for 30 minute sessions not 45, she will lose money she can't make back up.

If you were willing to pay out of pocket, and not with insurance, then shed probably be fine with 2x per week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She is managing her business - not your insurance.

She prefers 45 minute sessions, which she finds more effective and also allows for an easier schedule (eg all sessions start at top of hour for 45 minutes, then she has 15 minutes to transition your child to you and prepare for next client).

If she allows you to use 2 of the coveted after school sessions for 30 minute sessions not 45, she will lose money she can't make back up.

If you were willing to pay out of pocket, and not with insurance, then shed probably be fine with 2x per week.

That’s great for her business but what I’m interested in is what would benefit my kid the most.

[Anonymous]

What is best for your child is 3-4 days a week if it is severe as that is the prime age for speech therapy. Two 30 minutes is better than one 45. Maybe consider a new therapist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She is managing her business - not your insurance.

She prefers 45 minute sessions, which she finds more effective and also allows for an easier schedule (eg all sessions start at top of hour for 45 minutes, then she has 15 minutes to transition your child to you and prepare for next client).

If she allows you to use 2 of the coveted after school sessions for 30 minute sessions not 45, she will lose money she can't make back up.

If you were willing to pay out of pocket, and not with insurance, then shed probably be fine with 2x per week.

That’s great for her business but what I’m interested in is what would benefit my kid the most.

Then do what you need to and quit worrying about insurance.

[Anonymous]

Actually you are your child's best speech therapist. In best case they are only with her a couple hours a week. Get the Hanen book and/or go to the Communicating Partners website.

Receptive language issues are not cured with speech therapy. The therapy get give a child tools to use, but brains hear and process language when they are ready to.