decreased therapy time with no decrease in price

[wal537]

Recently in Cincinnati most speech therapy is changing from one hour sessions to 30 minute sessions.  They sight decreased insurance reimbursement and lack of therapist to go round as the reason.  The problem is the price is unchanged.  For people who have limited visits per year ie. 30 per year this cuts their therapy in half.  Fortunately we have an autism clause in our insurance policy that provides 500 dollrs a month for Autism related care.  Still this cuts my childs therapy in half or doubles my/insurance cost.  Also it sometimes( who am I kidding ,most times) takes my child 15 minutes to warm up and actually start working.  I found an in home company who will still do hour sessions but I am certain this will change as soon as they realize they to can cut services without losing money.  Isn't there some sort of regulatory board that governs therapy from price gouging.  This seems so horrible to withhold/cut care from people.  Surely kids with articulation problems alone may be able to benefit from shortned sessions, but ASD kids are different.  Doesn't everyone know that?

[Jen]

I was so taken with your situation- of course it makes sense that those on the spectrum need the hour as you wrote. I would suggest that you contact Donna Owens  ( donna_owens@ocali.org ) as she has some great resources for helping families - especially w/ insurance.

Jen