Protect Early Intervention Services – Contact Congress Today! |
Statement on CMS Medicare Policy Update Regarding Clinical Fellows
CSHA is aware of the recent update to the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which redefines the qualifications for Speech-Language Pathologists under Medicare Part B and excludes individuals holding provisional licensure, including those completing their Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) or their Required Professional Experience (RPE), from being recognized as qualified Medicare providers.
This policy change has significant implications for our profession, particularly for CFY/RPE applicants currently providing services to Medicare beneficiaries. We encourage our members to review this ASHA resource for a comprehensive overview of the changes and guidance on next steps, including a petition you can sign.
We understand the serious impact this policy may have on patient care, employment, and workforce development. CSHA is actively monitoring the situation, exploring advocacy options, and supporting efforts to work with CMS on their recent policy guidance on CFY/RPE applicants and advocating for them to be classified as qualified Medicare providers.
In the meantime, we encourage our members to stay informed, consult with legal and compliance professionals as appropriate, and add their voices to advocacy efforts aimed at protecting access to services and supporting the future of our profession.
Get Involved
CSHA advocates in the best interests of our members and those they serve on legislative and regulatory issues at the state and national levels.
View our recent Advocacy Updates at the link here.
CSHA provides policy and political leadership on critical issues through a variety of programs and special projects.
Find out how you can get involved with CSHA to help advocate for smart policy and monitor legislation that could influence the practices of the CSHA community.
To start, review the CSHA Advocacy Platform for more detail and information.
CSHA Advocacy Network
Join your CSHA colleagues in monitoring and advocating on behalf of critical legislative and policy issues.
CSHA is thrilled to launch its long-planned Advocacy Network for members! By joining the network, CSHA Advocacy Network members will receive:
- Timely policy and legislative updates via texts and emails
- Urgent calls to action
- Insightful policy updates
- And more!
This new member benefit allows members to directly communicate with their legislators on issues of key importance to CSHA, its members, consumers, and the broader speech language hearing community.
Advocacy has become ever-more critical in recent years, with new challenges arising and longstanding issues magnified by the pandemic. CSHA has risen to the challenge, building strong relationships with the Legislature, the licensing board, the Department of Consumer affairs, and other leaders who impact the profession and those we serve. Our work has been key to the profession during this time, including successful advocacy on waivers that have kept countless colleagues at work during the pandemic.
The new online CSHA Advocacy Network increases our collective impact even more!
If you’re a CSHA member, you can easily join the network by logging in to the Advocacy Network page at this LINK.
CSHA Legislative Delegates Program
Overview
The California Speech-Language Hearing Association (CSHA) is taking an active role in statewide advocacy. The CSHA Legislative Delegates Program organizes representatives from the speech, hearing and audiology community, matching them with legislators representing the district in which the delegate lives, and guiding delegates in the process of advancing the messages and priorities of California’s speech and hearing community. CSHA is seeking SLPs, SLPAs, students, and others passionate about protecting the interests of speech pathologists in California.
Major Issues
Professional Practice and Workforce Issues
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists are the leading professionals uniquely trained to assess and treat communication disorders. It is essential that licensure and certification requirements for the professions are preserved, the professions’ defined scope of practice is protected, a robust graduate and undergraduate student pipeline is supported, workplace safety is promoted, and competence in working with diverse populations is increased.
- Learn more about CSHA’s priorities in this area.
Schools Issues
CSHA members provide critical evidence-based services and supports to students with exceptional needs, including those from diverse populations. These services and supports build functional and meaningful communication skills and facilitate academic achievement. It is essential that all students have meaningful access to appropriately resourced speech-language pathology and audiology services.
- Learn more about CSHA’s priorities in this area.
Health Care Issues
SLPs and audiologists provide medically necessary services that result in positive health outcomes and an enhanced quality of life. It is essential that speech-language pathology and audiology services are comprehensively covered and equitably reimbursed by public and private payers.
- Learn more about CSHA’s priorities in this area.
Patient, Client and Student Issues
Effectively assessing and treating communication disorders is determined by the individual needs of each patient, client or student. It is essential that public policies are structured to support individuals with communication disorders and ensure that those individuals have meaningful access to the evidence-based care they require.
- Learn more about CSHA’s priorities in this area, including additional information related to Early Intervention highlighted below.
Licensing Board
ADVOCACY UPDATE August 2023 – Licensing Board Meeting
Burns Rate Study:
Department of Developmental Services
Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 4519.4 (d), added by Chapter 28, Statutes of 2019 (SB 81, Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review), the Department shall post to its website a summary of the public comments received related to the rate models including departmental responses to those comments and any appropriate and necessary changes to the rate models contained in the rate study by October 1, 2019.
200 by Two
Get the latest information on research studies, tools and guides important to the field of speech-language pathology and audiology, including our latest CSHA 200 by Two Resource Kit – Your guide to language development in infant and toddlers.
Be sure to watch the 200 by Two video to learn more!
Know Your California Representatives
Not sure who your State Senate or Assembly representative is? You can use this official service provided by the California State Legislature to find your State representatives.
Support the CSHA PAC
Donate to support CSHA political action activities, including the encouragement of SLPs, SLPAs, and audiologists to take a more active and effective role in governmental affairs, as well as to support candidates for public office, without regard to party affiliation, who are supportive of CSHA legislative objectives.
Register to Vote
Learn if you’re eligible to vote, how to register, check, or change your information. In California, the deadline to register to vote for any election is 15 days before Election Day, so please register early!
