We have had some questions regarding the status of AMA’s Scope of Practice Data Series: Audiologists, so I wanted to provide everyone with an update.

We understand that the AMA has created “issue briefs” for some of their Scope of Practice documents for use by their members at the state and local levels. To date, AMA has not made public any issue briefs related to audiology, and we don’t know if any have been developed. To counteract the information provided in the original AMA Scope of Practice document, ASHA is creating materials for members to use at the state and local levels. We also continue to work with the Coalition for Patient Rights (CPR), an organization that ASHA helped establish in 2006 that includes more than 35 organizations representing more than one million nonphysician, health-care providers. The CPR has discussed meeting with the AMA on this issue. While we and other members of the CPR have reservations, we believe there is benefit to opening a dialogue with the AMA to discuss areas of common interest and concern. We are beginning to work on setting up such a meeting and will keep you posted on the outcomes of our discussions with the AMA.

 

I also wanted to update you about another issue of prime importance to audiologists, namely, comprehensive Medicare coverage of audiology services. As I’m sure you know, ASHA is strongly advocating for improved public and private coverage and reimbursement policies for audiologists across the age span. This includes preventive, diagnostic, and habilitative and rehabilitative treatment services, and equipment. However, currently there is direct-access legislation before Congress that would create an audiology benefit that is strictly diagnostic in nature. ASHA is very uncomfortable with this legislation and believes the bill locks audiologists into a narrow diagnostic category that, if passed, would be extremely difficult to amend or change. In our view, a comprehensive Medicare audiologic benefit that includes both diagnostic and rehabilitative services is in the best long-term interest of the profession. This is a top advocacy priority for ASHA. We have prepared a brief Q&A (http://www.asha.org/aud/Comprehensive-Medicare-Coverage-of-Audiology-Services/) that we hope will answer some of the questions you may have about this important issue.

Kendall Crum is a delightful 12 year old girl.  She lives in Gilbert, AZ with her parents and her sister, Chloe.  She attends school in the Gilbert Public Schools.  Kendall’s interests include acting in church programs, singing musical numbers in music therapy, and celebrating birthdays.  

Kendall has been benefiting from speech-language therapy for most of her life.  She began early intervention and clinic based therapies at 10 months of age.  She was introduced to gestures and modified baby signs.  Her first signs were “cracker” and “play.”  At age two, she started to receive home based therapies.  Here she was introduced to communication cards and charts.  Kendall quickly learned the power of the “goldfish” and “swing” cards.  At the age of four, she entered preschool and was introduced to a voice output communication device.   She used a Go Talk 9 to talk about snacks and to choose activities.  In kindergarten through second grade, Kendall continued to use the picture cards and her modified signs and gestures to express herself.  In third grade, Kendall started using the Dynavox M3, and two of the first things she learned were how to ask for snacks and to select movies to watch.  She soon surprised her father by saying “Happy birthday, Daddy” as he walked through the door after work.  Currently, Kendall uses the Dynavox M3 to share information and to express her likes and dislikes. Watching her navigate through the pages on her device is like watching a tornado. She almost always finds what she wants to say and delivers her message loud and clear.  Kendall has a voice of her own.

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Individuals demonstrating significant contributions to clinical science and practice over a 20-year career are eligible for nomination by fellow professionals to receive a recognition award. Supported by the Kleffner Fund. Nominations are now being accepted. Download the guidelines and nomination materials [PDF].