Getting Started
Plan to spend a few weeks starting up. AppleTree’s front office staff will check insurance benefits for new patients, and collect payment information/insurance cards/credit cards.
AppleTree 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), AppleTree 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
AppleTree 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. AppleTree 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.
