<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0jDpZ8_1F0BFhaR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0jDpZ8_1F0BFhaR00" width="1200" height="600" >TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - A local speech and language pathologist reached out to 13 Action News, worried that proposed Medicare changes could make it harder for some patients to get the care they need.Local providers say the changes could affect more than their bottom line. The big concern is access. Providers say if reimbursement doesn’t keep up with the cost and time it takes to treat patients, some may have to rethink the services they can afford to offer.For speech and language pathologists like Taylor Kae Hahn, billing code 92507 is central to their work.“That’s the most billed therapy code that we use,” Hahn said.Beginning in 2027, that code is set to be replaced by 10 new codes, breaking treatment down by the type of care and time spent with a patient. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also known as CMS, is now proposing how Medicare would pay providers under that new system. That’s where local therapists say they have concerns.“Is that an effective amount of time for each patient and client to take what I’m giving them and utilize that in real life,” Hahn said.The new codes start with 30 minutes of treatment, then add time in 15-minute increments. Hahn works with adults, including people recovering from strokes or dealing with swallowing and voice issues. She worries a new structure could make individualized care harder to provide.Maggie DeSouza said for small practices, the math already matters.“Just decide it’s not worth it, you know it’s not worth their gas, the prices aren’t keeping up with inflation. They may just close up shop,” DeSouza said.DeSouza works in local schools and also travels to older patients who may not be able to leave home. She said if fewer providers can afford to offer those services, patients could have fewer options or have to travel farther for care.“There’s a good likelihood individualized services are going to be much harder to provide because of the time-based codes. And also because the change is happening in the middle of the school year,” DeSouza said.The proposal is not final. CMS is accepting public comments through September 14, with a final rule expected in early November.The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is asking CMS to reconsider parts of the proposal, saying part of the cut is tied to an expiring congressional pay increase and federal budget rules. According to ASHA, the conversion factor is proposed to decrease in 2027 largely because a temporary 2.5% payment increase provided by Congress for 2026 will expire. Federal law also requires Medicare payment changes to remain budget neutral.ASHA said CMS has also proposed a change to how it values the practice expense portion of its payment calculations, which the association says could compound the financial impact on clinicians.The organization said clinicians have faced Medicare payment reductions each year since 2021, and continued reductions could make it harder for some practices to maintain services or continue accepting Medicare beneficiaries.13 Action News reached out to CMS and has not heard back.Latest Local News | First Alert Weather | Crime | National | 13abc Originals</div></body>

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TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - A local speech and language pathologist reached out to 13 Action News, worried that proposed Medicare changes could make it harder for some patients to get the care they need. Local providers say the changes could affect more than their bottom line. The big concern is...

Local speech therapists worry proposed Medicare changes could limit patient access to care

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TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - A local speech and language pathologist reached out to 13 Action News, worried that proposed Medicare changes could make it harder fo

Local speech therapists worry proposed Medicare changes could limit patient access to care

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