March 22, 2024
ASHA’s President, Tena McNamara, spent a day on Capitol Hill this week with her counterparts at the American Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology—meeting with key lawmakers to build support for the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (H.R. 6445/S. 2377). The leaders of the three groups highlighted that by ensuring seniors have more timely and robust access to hearing and balance assessment and treatment services provided by audiologists, it will lower the risk of falls, slow cognitive decline, and reduce social isolation and loneliness.
Take action now by adding your voice to theirs and telling Congress to pass this critical legislation.
Legislation introduced in the House and Senate, the Stop CMV Act (H.R. 7542/S. 3864), would provide federal funding for state-based cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening programs that improve early detection and intervention. ASHA President Tena McNamara was quoted in the sponsors’ press release, noting that the bill “will focus needed attention and resources on screening for congenital cytomegalovirus in newborns, a huge step forward in identifying children at risk for hearing loss, communication disorders and developmental delays.”
Audiologists across the country have been experiencing denials and confusing appeal processes when trying to obtain approval for medically necessary air conduction hearing aids for federal employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). ASHA sent letters encouraging reconsideration of medical necessity parameters and continues to work with BCBS and the Office of Personnel Management to ensure these guidelines and processes do not create barriers to care for FEP beneficiaries. We have also provided an appeal letter template and compiled helpful information for audiologists encountering this issue now.
Advocacy Win! Thanks to ASHA’s staff and member advocacy efforts, the Governor of Florida signed legislation making Florida the 31st state to join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. We anticipate that applications for compact privileges will open in late 2024 – early 2025.
ASHA Advocacy staff participated in a panel discussion at ADVION’s Legislative & Regulatory Conference to discuss issues important to audiologists and SLPs who work in long-term care settings. ASHA’s Director of Health Care Policy for Medicare, Sarah Warren, and ASHA’s Director of Federal Affairs for Health Care, Josh Krantz, emphasized the need for better Medicare payment rates and the importance of ensuring audiologists and SLPs can permanently provide services through telepractice to seniors.