How Much Does Speech Therapy Cost?
If you are seeking speech therapy services for yourself or your child, you may wonder what the average cost will be for the services you will receive. According to a CostHelper report, the average price of speech therapy in the United States ranges from $100 to $250 per hour.
This article covers:
How Much Does Speech Therapy Cost Per Session?
What are the Different Ways of Paying for Speech Therapy
Why is Online Speech Therapy More Cost-Effective Than In-Person Treatment?
What Services Should be Included in Speech Therapy Services?
Why Choose Connected Speech Pathology for Your Speech Therapy Needs?
How Much Does Speech Therapy Cost Per Session?
The exact cost of speech therapy can vary, but a speech-language evaluation typically costs $150 to $400, and a half-hour therapy session may cost $65 to $175. This price may vary greatly depending on the geographical location and expertise of the instructor. The number of sessions needed will rely on the individual's progress and response to treatment.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Speech Therapy
Several factors can affect the cost of speech therapy. These include:
The severity of your condition
The severity of your condition will play a role in the cost of speech therapy. More severe conditions may require more sessions or more intensive treatment.
Your location
Geographical location can also affect the cost of speech therapy. Therapists in urban areas often charge more for their services than those in rural areas.
The setting in which services are provided
The cost of therapy can also be affected by the setting in which it is provided. Therapy in a private practice or clinic is typically more expensive than in a public school or hospital. This is due to the overhead costs associated with private practices and clinics.
Teletherapy, or therapy conducted via video conferencing, can also affect the cost of treatment. It usually costs less than in-person therapy but more than self-guided therapy.
The qualifications of your speech-language pathologist
The qualifications of speech-language pathologists also affect the cost of speech therapy. For example, speech therapy provided by a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) will typically be more expensive than therapy supplied by a certified speech-language assistant (SLPA).
Estimated length of time and frequency of therapy
The cost of therapy can also depend on how long you need to receive it. The longer you need to receive treatment, the more expensive it will be. If you have a speech problem that requires intensive treatment every day, your cost will be higher than a person with a mild impairment who needs one to two sessions per week.
Your insurance coverage
If you have health insurance, your policy may cover some or all of the cost of speech therapy. However, many policies limit how much they will cover and what types of services they will cover.
What are the Different Ways of Paying for Speech Therapy
There are several ways to pay for speech therapy. These include:
Private Pay
If you pay for speech therapy out-of-pocket, the cost will vary depending on the type of therapy and the therapist you see. Some therapists may charge by the session, while others may charge by the hour.
Private health insurance
Your private health insurance policy may cover some or all speech therapy sessions. In addition, some insurance companies may only cover speech therapy if it is medically necessary. Therefore, checking with your insurance company to see their speech therapy coverage is essential.
Medicare
If you are a senior citizen, Medicare may cover some of the cost of speech therapy. However, Medicare only covers medically necessary speech therapy and limits how much it will pay for services.
Medicaid
If you have a low income, you may be eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid is a government program that provides health insurance for low-income individuals. Medicaid coverage varies from state to state, but most states cover speech therapy for children under 21.
Scholarships
Several organizations offer scholarships to individuals who need speech therapy. These scholarships can help cover the cost of treatment. One example is the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program (formerly called Gardiner Scholarship), a scholarship program for students with special needs who live in Florida.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
If your employer offers a flexible spending account (FSA), you may be able to use these funds to pay for speech therapy. An FSA allows you to set aside a portion of your paycheck before taxes are taken out. The money can be used for eligible medical expenses, including speech therapy.
Why is Online Speech Therapy More Cost-Effective Than In-Person Treatment?
Online speech therapy is more cost-effective than in-person because there are fewer overhead costs associated with online therapy. For example, online therapists do not need to pay for extra office space, furniture, or supplies. In addition, online therapists can see a larger number of clients because they are not limited by geography.
Therefore, the therapist can pass on the savings to the client. In addition, online therapy is more cost-effective because it is delivered from the comfort of your home without traveling.
What Services Should be Included in Speech Therapy Services?
Assessment
An initial speech therapy assessment is the first step in obtaining speech services. The evaluation should last between 45 minutes to 1 hour. Spending time with the client and the family will allow the speech-language pathologist to get to know them and their family and ask questions about their medical history and current symptoms. The speech therapist will also assess the client's communication skills.
Treatment
After the assessment, the speech therapist will develop a treatment plan based on the initial assessment results. The treatment plan will be tailored to the individual's needs and goals.
The frequency and duration of speech therapy sessions will vary depending on the severity of the condition and treatment goals. However, most clients receive speech therapy once or twice weekly for 30 to 60 minutes per session.
Some insurance companies may require a certain number of therapy sessions before covering the cost. Therefore, it is important to check with your insurance company to see if there are any requirements.
Home Program
Assignments are often given to clients to practice their communication skills between sessions. The speech therapist may also provide the client with recommended resources to facilitate speech or language development.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a referral from my doctor to see a speech-language pathologist?
Sometimes, a referral from your doctor is needed to see a speech therapist, depending on the type of therapy you are receiving. A referral is typically necessary if a medical diagnosis is associated with communication impairment. Additionally, many insurance companies require a referral from your doctor before they will cover the cost of therapy.
2. How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?
If you are concerned that your child may have a communication disorder, don't hesitate to contact your doctor or a speech therapist. A speech therapist can conduct an assessment to determine if your child has a communication disorder and recommend the appropriate treatment.
3. What if I can't afford speech therapy?
If you cannot afford speech therapy, many community clinics offer sliding scale fees or free services for low-income individuals. You may also want to contact your insurance company to see if they offer any discounts for speech therapy services.
4. Why is speech therapy important for school-aged children?
Speech therapy is necessary for school-aged children because it can help improve their communication skills. Many children with language disorders find it difficult to communicate with others, leading to social isolation and academic difficulties.
Speech therapy can help children with various speech problems, including articulation disorders, stuttering, and language delays. It can also help children who have difficulty with word comprehension or expression. In addition, therapy sessions can help promote language development in very young children.
5. Can speech therapy help adults?
Yes, speech therapy can help adults with communication disorders. Treatment for adults is typically provided by speech-language pathologists who have received specialized training in working with adults. Examples of communication disorders that speech therapy can help adults with include aphasia, dysarthria, voice disorders, stuttering, and articulation.
Why Choose Connected Speech Pathology for Your Speech Therapy Needs?
Connected Speech Pathology provides high-quality speech therapy services for individuals of all ages. We are dedicated to helping our clients reach their full potential.
We take great pride in the expertise of our therapists. All our therapists are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and hold advanced degrees in speech-language pathology.
Our team of speech-language pathologists is experienced and holds a master's degree in communication disorders. We use evidence-based practices to provide the best possible care for our clients.
Our services are delivered online, making it convenient for our clients to receive the care they need.
We offer a free initial consultation to all new clients. During this conversation, we will have an opportunity to get to know you and your family and learn about your communication goals. It also allows us to answer any questions you may have.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule a free consultation!
About the Author
Allison Geller is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and the owner of Connected Speech Pathology. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Florida in Speech-Language Pathology. Allison has practiced speech therapy in a number of settings including telepractice, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and private practice. She has worked extensively with individuals across the lifespan including toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adults. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders, brain injury, and swallowing disorders.
Allison served as the clinical coordinator of research in aphasia in the Neurological Institute at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. She is on the Board of Directors for the Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN), a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certified clinician, and a proud Family Empowerment Scholarship/Step-Up For Students provider. Allison is passionate about delivering high quality-effective treatment remotely because it’s convenient and easy to access. What sets us apart from other online speech therapy options is—Allison takes great care to hire the very best SLPs from all over the country.
