Insurance and Paying for a Speech Device

1. Insurance funded device (Usually No "out of pocket" expense for patient)

     A. Primary insurance coverage; usually through Medicare or private insurance (80% of cost)
         * ANY PALS who is not working is eligible for Medicare coverage immediately on confirmed diagnosis
         * It is advisable to sign up for Medicare ASAP as some private insurance companies do not cover a speech device

     B. Secondary insurance (or a one time $2000 MDA communications grant) covers the remaining cost.

2. If no insurance coverage is available
    A. Every PALS is eligible for a one time $2000 communications grant available Free through the Muscular Distrophy    Association. This may be enough for a basic AugCom system, which can then be adapted by ALSA of Georgia to suit a PALS needs.
    B. Other options include applting for a device from the ALSA of GA.