75 minute recording available August 22, 2021 – August 20, 2022

Handout download: AAC in Arizona Navigating the New Managed Care Model Handout (PDF)

Presented by Jeremy Legaspi, MS CCC-SLP, Staci R. McCauley, M. Ed., M.S. CCC-SLP, Dr. Elizabeth Morrison, CCC-SLP and Danika Stampfel, M. S. CCC-SLP

Description of the workshop:

This 75-minute presentation focuses on Arizona’s recent shift to the managed care model for augmentative and alternative communication devices and services. This presentation is organized into two sections. Section one reviews the role of the referring SLP, and discusses the importance of using clinical documentation to medically justify the need for AAC devices and services for minimally verbal clientele.
Section two reviews changes to Arizona’s new managed care model for AAC, and discusses how to assist a client/family through the AAC evaluation process. Discussion includes policy overviews of both Mercy Care and United Health Care, the prior authorization process, how to request repairs or replacement devices, implementation trainings, and the role schools play in the new managed care model.

Biography of the speakers:

Jeremy Legaspi, M.S. CCC-SLP

Jeremy earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Science at Arizona State University in 2003. He completed his Master’s Degree in Clinical Speech-Language Pathology at Northern Arizona University in 2005, and his Graduate Certificate in Assistive Technology in 2013. He has presented nationally on the topics of AAC and Apraxia. Jeremy holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a state license in Speech-Language Pathology from the State of Arizona, is a member of the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA), and is a member of ASHA’s Special Interest Division SIG 12. He is currently a regional consultant for PRC-Saltillo.

Staci R. McCauley, M. Ed., M.S. CCC-SLP

Staci R. McCauley, M.Ed., M.S. CCC-SLP, began her career 20 years ago as a National Board Certified Teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach before becoming an SLP. Ms.McCauley has a master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in reading disabilities from University of Florida, and a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from NAU. Since 2018, Ms. McCauley has worked for NAU’s Institute for Human Development in their Assistive Technology Center. She currently works for a school district in the Phoenix area full time. Ms. McCauley is passionate about literacy and AAC, and instructs NAU's graduate level course, DIS 524: Assistive Technology and Literacy. She also volunteers as chair of ArSHA's AAC committee. She is a member of ASHA’s SIG 12 and 16.

Dr. Elizabeth Morrison, CCC-SLP

Elizabeth received her Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology Degree from Northwestern University in 2020. In her career, Elizabeth has worked as the Northern Arizona Regional Trainer for the Assistive Technology Training Project at Southwest Human Development and Northern Arizona University through a grant from the Arizona Department of Education. Elizabeth currently provides speech-language pathology services to individuals of all ages and abilities in home health and school-based settings. Additionally, Elizabeth is a Clinical Educator for the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program at Northern Arizona University and supervises graduate level student clinicians in the field.

Danika Stampfel, M. S. CCC-SLP

Danika Stampfel, M.A., CCC-SLP, graduated NAU with a Bachelor's of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, Speech - Science and Technology with Minors in Special Education and Psychology. She went on to earn a Master’s of Science in clinical speech-language pathology from Northern Arizona University. She currently works at North Valley Pediatric Therapy in North Phoenix working with patients from birth through adulthood. She is also an AAC evaluator and trainer for Northern Arizona University's AAC Evaluation and Training Program. With over four years of experience, she specializes in various AAC devices and access methods for clients who have complex communication needs. She also volunteers with ArSHA, Arizona's Speech Hearing Association. She is also a member of ASHA’s SIG 12.

Objectives:

1. Participants will discuss documentation for medical justification
2. Participants will be able to explain steps in the new AAC referral process
3. Participants will identify critical differences in the processes for MercyCare and United Health Care
4. Participants will identify three resources to use in the AAC evaluation process

Time-Ordered Agenda:

• 5 min- Introductions, disclosures, purpose, objectives
• 10 min- The SLP’s role in recommending and referring for AAC services
• 10 min- Documentation demands of the medical model
• 10 min-AAC myths: overcoming other barriers to implementation
• 15 min-UnitedHealthcare referral process (UHC reps present)
• 15 min- MercyCare referral process (MC reps present)
• 10 min- Questions and answers, resources

Webinar Registration Rates:
Free for members and non-members

Registration:
Member registration - https://www.arsha.org/membership-form/#/
Non-member registration - https://www.arsha.org/membership-form/#/event-registration/webinar-aug21-rec

This presentation is being offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUS ( Intermediate level, Professional area)

Disclosures:
Financial Disclosure: Jeremy Legaspi, MS, CCC-SLP receives a salary from PRC-Saltillo.
Jeremy Legaspi, MS, CCC-SLP has no non-financial relationships to disclose.

Financial Disclosure: Staci R. McCauley, MEd, MS, CCC-SLP receives a salary from Roosevelt School District and is a contractor for NAU AAC Training & Evaluation Program through Speak from the Heart Pediatric Speech, LLC.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Staci R. McCauley, Med, MS, CCC-SLP is the chair of Arizona Speech-Language Hearing Association’s AAC Committee.

Financial Disclosure: Danika Stampfel, MS, CCC-SLP receives a salary from North Valley Pediatric Therapy. She is also a contractor for NAU IHD AAC Evaluation and Training Program.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Danika Stampfel, MS, CCC-SLP is a member the Arizona Speech-Language Hearing Association’s AAC Committee

Financial Disclosure: Dr. Elizabeth Morrison, CCC-SLP receives a salary from Dynamic Interventions of Arizona, LLC
Non-Financial Disclosure: Dr. Elizabeth Morrison, CCC-SLP is the Ethical Practices Chair of the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association