Getting Started
Plan to spend a few weeks starting up. Apple Tree’s front office staff will check insurance benefits for new patients, and collect payment information/insurance cards/credit cards.
Apple Tree Speech uses a practice management system to collect and store patient information. New patients will go to a patient portal to fill out developmental and medical history, and review practice policies and informed consent documents. Via the portal, we will also collect demographic information such as an address, phone, and dates of birth, and information releases (as needed) to contact other providers.
After we get a developmental history, we will have an initial meeting to discuss goals. This can be done over Zoom and is free of charge.
If a patient has a recent evaluation (e.g. within 12 months), Apple Tree Speech develops a treatment plan using that evaluation combined with data and observation from a few diagnostic therapy sessions. If a patient does not have a current evaluation, we will conduct a comprehensive speech and language evaluation, and provide a treatment plan.
Insurance and Payment
Apple Tree Speech is in-network with Premera, Aetna, and Regence insurance. We will bill insurance for your sessions as a courtesy, but you are responsible for payment.
Private pay is necessary if you have other forms of insurance. Superbills are provided upon request. As a courtesy, we will check your current benefit levels, but we cannot guarantee insurance reimbursement. Please speak with your insurance company prior to beginning speech therapy services. Apple Tree Speech accepts HSA cards and credit cards for individual therapy sessions and evaluations.
Session charge: $130 for 50 minutes
Evaluation charge: $350
Policies
There is no charge for canceling speech therapy sessions, as long as you call or text before the therapist has left for your house for a home visit, or before the teletherapy session begins. After this, a late cancellation fee will be applied. This charge cannot be billed to insurance.
Success requires commitment and consistency on the part of the patient as well as the therapist. If there are too many cancellations, progress can be compromised. In this case, it may be best to defer therapy to a moment when the patient's schedule is more predictable.
“My son has cerebral palsy with global delay and significant communication difficulties. His language difficulties have impacted his academics quite broadly.
Miss Lori started working with our son four years ago. She started doing therapy in our home and then moved to 100% virtual speech therapy during the pandemic. We have seen a transformation in his overall abilities. He's now initiating and having conversations at home, asking questions, and expressing himself at school. His teachers have noticed the change in his skills, especially this year.
Miss Lori is organized, flexible, and is getting results. She always works with goals. My son has come a long way, and he would have been able to do it without the help of such an amazing SLP! Miss Lori is dedicated to our son. She is smart, kind, thoughtful, innovative, and fun. My son truly enjoys working with Miss Lori. He looks forward to his sessions with her and always gives his best for her.
We are blessed to have Miss Lori. I will highly recommend Miss Lori as a speech therapist.”
— Ruchi, Parent
