Speech Therapy Cost

Typical costs:

• Speech therapy typically is covered by health insurance in certain cases. For example, most Aetna^[1] and Cigna^[2] policies cover short-term speech therapy needed due to injury or acute illness, but do not cover it for developmental delays. Many policies limit the total number of sessions. For patients covered by health insurance, typical out-of-pocket costs consist of coinsurance of 10%-50%.
• For patients not covered by health insurance, speech therapy typically costs $200-$250 for an initial assessment, then about $100 to almost $250 per hour. For example, Garden City Hospital^[3] in Michigan charges $100 per session. ECS Therapy^[4] in Pennsylvania charges $200 for an initial assessment, then $65 per half-hour session -- or $130 per hour. Therapy Playground^[5] in North Carolina charges $100 for a half-hour session -- or $200 an hour. Brainworx^[6] in Texas charges $250 for an initial assessment, then $120 for a half-hour session -- or $240 an hour.

• In an initial assessment, a speech language pathologist -- often referred to as a speech therapist -- will evaluate speech, perform tests and formulate an individual treatment plan.
• In speech therapy sessions, the speech-language pathologist will use a variety of tools and methods designed to improve speech. Depending on the age and individual situation, these might include: using books or other tools to help stimulate language development, modeling and repetition of speech, showing the patient how to move the mouth to make certain sounds and having the patient do mouth and tongue exercises.
• KidsHealth.org has an overview of speech therapy^[7] .

• Speech therapists sometimes recommend books, tools or activities^[8] to work on speech at home. These can cost less than $20 to $100 or more.

• The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act^[9] requires that speech therapy be provided as part of public education services for children with speech or language impairments.
• Speechville.com offers a list of university-affiliated speech clinics^[10] that provide deeply discounted services, typically rendered by graduate-level students under the supervision of instructors who are licensed speech pathologists.
• The non-profit Easter Seals^[11] offers speech therapy on a sliding scale based on income.

• A pediatrician, family doctor or school can provide a referral to a qualified speech-language pathologist. Or, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers a speech-language pathologist locator^[12] by state.
• A speech-language pathologist should have a master's degree from an accredited program^[13] . Speech-language pathologists are licensed at the state level, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers a state-by-state list^[14] of regulatory bodies and requirements. Speech-language pathologists also can choose to get certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association^[15] .

1.  www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/200_299/0243.html
2.  /cignaforhcp.cigna.com/public/content/pdf/coveragePolicies/medical/mm_0177_coverag...
3.  www.gch.org/Home.aspx?id=219&sid=1
4.  www.ecstherapy.com/fee-schedule.html
5.  therapyplayground.com/treatment-cost/
6.  brainworxcenters.com/Archives/BrainworXSpeechFlyer.pdf
7.  kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/speech_therapy.html#
8.  www.linguisystems.com/products/product/topicsearch
9.  idea.ed.gov/explore/home
10.  www.speechville.com/speech-therapy/university-clinics.html
11.  www.easterseals.com/
12.  www.asha.org/proserv/
13.  www.asha.org/academic/accreditation/
14.  www.asha.org/advocacy/state/
15.  www.asha.org/certification/cert-verify/

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost?		How Much Do Braces Cost?		How Much Does Hip Replacement Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

It's not too late for a flu shot. Need help uncovering your driveway? You may need a snow removal service. A space heater can keep you warm on chilly December nights. If you are planning a trip to the slopes this winter, you might needs snow tires. Who is planning your big holiday event? A catering company may be able to help.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Bat bite Paid: 0.00 On October 25th I was bitten by a bat during mid morning, animal control told me to get the rabies shots due to the fact that several rabid bats had been found in the area... [more] -Rita W Rabies Vaccine Cost 7 stitches to shin Paid: 371.00 My son had 7 Stitches to his shin he fell in the woods and was cut by a old fence. They were super nice in and out, in about one hour. 155.00 for the visit and the remainder was for the Stitches ... [more] -Tavanna Stitches Cost 2 Car Garage Paid: 1700.00 Looks FANTASTIC! The guys done a fabulous job and did it in one day! Highly recommend! 615-739-2146... [more] -Chad Dunn Epoxy Flooring Cost Commercial Real Estate Brochure Paid: 200.00 Quick turn around time! 4 revisions with PDF and hyperlinks embedded. Website management available too... [more] [email protected] Graphic Designer Cost Fairly priced Paid: 0.00 My baby boy choked on some food this evening. While we were on the phone to the emergency services the blockage cleared. Ambulance was sent anyway to make sure everything was ok... [more] -Thank you NHS Ambulance Cost Ripped Off Paid: 46.00 I asked the nail technician how much for a full set. He said he will let me know as soon as he gets the nails on my fingers (WTH?) ... anyway on the board the price said $28 and up...... [more] -Kay. Manicures and Pedicures Cost