Board of Hearing and Speech − August 2025 Newsletter

When to Refer for Speech and Feeding Services: Birth to 3 Years

Credit: Speech team at Joya

Birth to three years is a critical time in a child’s development. Children learn and grow rapidly during this period and need to master important skills quickly. Because of this short time frame, infants and toddlers can fall behind easily without parents realizing it.

You should tell parents to get services for their child as soon as concerns arise. This is important because of how the brain develops at this stage of life. Please refer to the child’s pediatrician if you have concerns, or if you are working with a family and see a child with concerns.

Read the full article on when to refer for speech and feeding services: birth to 3 years

The Washington and Recovery Monitoring Program (WRAMP)

The Washington Recovery and Monitoring Program (WRAMP) offers a confidential path to recovery for healthcare professionals facing substance use challenges. This innovative program helps healthcare professionals maintain their careers while getting the support they need.

Read the full article on the Washington and Recovery Monitoring Program

CMS Reverses Position on Medicare Billing for Speech-Language Pathologists with Provisional Licenses

On July 29, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reversed its earlier guidance that prevented clinical fellows and other SLPs with provisional licenses from billing Medicare Part B services. The reversal came after extensive advocacy efforts by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), state associations, and thousands of speech and hearing professionals nationwide.

CMS now clarifies that its updated interpretation aligns with state licensing requirements and allows individuals holding provisional or temporary licenses to provide services to Medicare beneficiaries – provided they meet their respective state’s licensure requirements. This means that states determine who is licensed to practice, including clinical fellows with temporary or provisional licenses.

Read the full article on CMS reversing its position on Medicare billing for speech-language pathologists with provisional licenses