FAQs

General Questions

1. Does Communication Is The Key, LLC accept insurance?
   Yes, we accept select insurance programs and/or plans. Please visit our insurance page for more in depth information.
2. Does Communication Is The Key, LLC accept Medicaid?
   No, we no longer are accept Medicaid/All Kids unless there is a Medicaid waiver with a qualified primary insurance. Please contact our medical biller for more information.
3. Do you offer financial assistance or a sliding fee scale?
   We offer reasonable rates for all clients. Please contact us to discuss your unique situation, discuss our normal rates and fees, or to see if you qualify for a reduced rate or fee schedule.
4. Do I need a referral to receive speech or language therapy?
   Yes. Although all insurance plans may not request a referral for services, Communication Is The Key, LLC prefers to have a referral for each client. Private pay clients do not require a referral.
5. What ages does Communication Is The Key see?
   We see clients of all ages beginning at age 2.5.
6. What days and/or hours do you work?
   Our hours are by appointment and include evening and weekend arrangements. Please contact us to discuss a convenient therapy schedule.
7. When do you require payment for therapy services?
   We require payment for services when the service is provided. However, if you require a different payment schedule due to financial restrictions please contact us. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
8. Do you accept credit cards?
   Yes, we accept credit cards for private payment of services. We currently accept Mastercard, Visa, and most HSHC cards. Please visit our insurance page for more information.

Speech and Language Questions

1. Will my insurance cover my child’s speech and language therapy?
   Some insurance companies do cover or reimburse payment for speech and language therapy services. Each client should check with his or her own company and review their policy coverage and restrictions to confirm. Please visit our insurance page for more information.
2. What causes speech and language disorders or delays?
   Each speech and language disorder or delay is unique and can be caused by a variety of factors. It is important to have suspected speech and language problems evaluated by a licensed speech-language pathologist. After a full evaluation, a reason or possible cause, for the disorder or delay can be discussed.
3. How often will my child have to be seen for speech therapy?
   Each case is different and is best determined following an initial evaluation. The length of each session also varies depending on your child’s unique needs. Session times are generally 45 minutes with 10-15 minutes remaining to discuss the session, progress made and what you should do at home between appointments.
4. How do I know if my child needs to have his speech and language skills evaluated?
   Typically physicians or teachers will notice a delay or disorder in a child’s communication skills. They can recommend that your child be evaluated. Parents may also notice a delay in communication skills, and should discuss their concerns with their child’s doctor and teacher, or contact a speech-language pathologist for an evaluation. Parents may also notice behavior problems arising from school-aged children because the children are frustrated with their communication problems, but aren’t sure of how to express their problems to adults. In any case, if you are concerned about your child’s speech and language development and/or use, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
5. My child is only two years old, but isn’t communicating like other two-year-olds. Should I wait for him to “grow out of it”?
   No, please contact us for an appointment to evaluate your child’s communication skills immediately. Typically, if children are showing a delay in communication skills at this young of an age, treatment is quick, as early intervention works very fast and effectively. It is always better to be safe than sorry! Your child now could be lacking only some comprehension of basic language concepts, but if not treated now, could develop into academic, social, communication, and behavioral difficulties down the road.
6. My child was dismissed from speech therapy at his school. I feel that he still needs treatment, what can I do and why was he dismissed at school?
   Remember that school districts operate under separate guidelines than private practitioners. For a child to receive speech and language therapy in the schools it must prove to be “educationally relevant” and must focus on educational goals and objectives. Your child may have been dismissed because they had reached a higher functioning communication level, and it was no longer “educationally relevant” for them to be seen at school. If you feel that your child still needs speech and language services, you have the right to pursue private treatment from a speech-language pathologist in a private practice setting.
7. What is the difference between a ‘screening’ and an ‘evaluation’?
   A screening is a very brief, overall glimpse at an individual’s communication skills. It skims over all areas of speech and language, including articulation, fluency, voice, grammar, vocabulary, conversational skills, and language memory. Screenings usually take only 15-20 minutes to conduct, and are relatively inexpensive procedures. Screenings only indicate whether further, in-depth testing is warranted in any specific communication area(s). On the other hand, a comprehensive evaluation is a lengthy, in-depth and detailed look at an individual’s communication skill. Evaluations typically take an hour or more to administer, and are more costly. Comprehensive speech and language evaluations give specific, detailed results of all areas tested, and result in more adequate and appropriate results. Upon completion of a comprehensive evaluation the parent or client receives a written report of the results, including professional recommendations.
8. How will I know if my child has delayed speech and/or language skills?
   Please see our Speech and Language Developmental Milestones chart.