Im told that electronic communication systems are expensive. How can I get help to pay for it?
There are three primary funding sources for augmentative communication devices available to PALS: private medical insurance; Medicaid and Medicare. Most state Medicaid programs and many private insurance plans will cover AAC devices when they are necessary to treat a severe expressive communication disability. Medicare, the nations largest health services funding program, will provide reimbursement for the cost of purchase or rental for an AAC device, if a person goes through an appeals process and presents his case to an Administrative Law Judge (http://www.nls.org/medihmo.htm.) To apply for funding or reimbursement for an AAC device, most state agencies and programs require an evaluation by a licensed speech pathologist and a letter of medical justification signed by the insurance beneficiarys treating physician. Depending on the insurance policy, AAC devices will be covered as an item of durable medical equipment or as prosthetic device. Private organizations including churches, syn
