Outpatient Speech Language Pathology

Outpatient SLP services are covered when skilled evaluation and treatment are necessary for speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, auditory processing, and swallowing disorders, including device evaluation/management and instrumental swallowing studies when clinically indicated. Services require documented SLP assessment, a physician or authorized NPP-established plan of care per state law, objective measurements to support medical necessity, and specified billing increments for device/rehabilitation evaluations (e.g., first hour and additional 15–30 minute units). Instrumental exams should be performed only if clinically indicated and documentation must justify their use when bedside exams are negative or the patient is unstable/uncooperative.

"Outpatient speech-language pathology (SLP) services are covered when necessary for diagnosis or treatment of speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, auditory processing, and swallowing di..."