Speech-Language Pathology

Medicare covers speech-language pathology services when they are reasonable and necessary, require the skills of a qualified SLP (CCC-SLP or CFY-SLP), and are supported by documentation including hands-on evaluation, history, baseline, and an individualized plan of care with goals and frequency. Re-evaluations, aural rehabilitation (speech reading), group therapy (<=4 members), and procedures like laryngoscopy/stroboscopy are covered only under specific documentation, supervision, and training conditions; non-skilled, routine, screening, unlicensed-provider services and many geriatric fluency/myofunctional disorders are excluded. Note: this LCD explicitly excludes dysphagia services from its scope (requires manual review for any dysphagia-related coverage determinations).

"Speech-language pathology (SLP) services are covered when reasonable and necessary for diagnosis and treatment of speech and language disorders and require the skills of a qualified SLP."