ASHA STAR Network

The State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARS) are ASHA-member audiologists and speech-language pathologists charged with advocating locally with legislators, state insurance commissioners, health plans, unions and employers in areas specific to private health plan reimbursement and Medicaid (Medi-Cal). As outlined by ASHA, "our mission is to advocate for consistent coverage and equitable reimbursement rates by private payers for speech-language pathology and audiology...targeting key decision-makers in private corporations, public agencies, and the local legislature". STAR Network members develop advocacy strategies and share skills through monthly conference calls, STARs-only email discussion groups, and twice yearly face-to-face meetings. The meetings take place at the ASHA Annual Convention and at the ASHA Annual Healthcare/Business Conference.

At this time, I am seeking to understand the issues that are important to CSHA and California ASHA members in private practice, in order to better serve as STAR Representative. To do this, I have created a survey intended to identify specific areas of interest or need.

You may access the CA ASHA STAR 2011 Private Practice Insurance Reimbursement Survey by clicking on the following link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5DKM8Q5

As your CA ASHA STAR Representative I plan to:

Identify specific healthcare advocacy issues for which private practitioners require increased knowledge, understanding and/or assistance
Develop a network of private practitioners to consult with the STAR Representative
Establish a listserve of all interested private practitioners
Establish a conference call schedule, to meet via phone every two months
Establish a face-to-face meeting one time each year, at the CSHA Convention
Establish STAR Network representation/Special Interest Table, at the CSHA Convention
Develop an education seminar(s) to address the targeted healthcare advocacy issues
Produce an education/information pamphlet developed from information presented in the seminar(s)

I look forward to working with you, so that together we can effect positive change in the private health plan system and create a statewide atmosphere in which our professions are valued.
Beryl Fogel, CA ASHA STAR Representative
bafogel@aol.com