5 Steps to Getting an iPad Covered by Insurance:

 

As a parent of a child with special needs, I understand firsthand the financial struggles that come with the job.  When I discovered the iPad and the benefits it could have for my son, it became my mission to find a way to provide one for him.  This is a simplified version of the steps I took in getting my iPad covered by insurance, and it is my hope that others can benefit from this information. 

 

1. Check your medical benefits for your "Durable Medical Coverage."  (Mine covered 50%, but since we had already met our out-of-pocket max, they covered at 100%)

2. Phone your insurance company and ask, "Please assign me to a case manager that is experienced with special needs children."

3. After you are provided a case manager, explain that you need the iPad as an augmentative communication device INCLUDING the Proloquo2go App (or TouchChat, OneVoice, TapToTalk, etc.) Provide comparison costs to a more expensive system such as the Dynavox, and remind them that you are opting for a more cost-effective device.  Focus on Proloquo2go (or your chosen Aug Comm app) and that is being introduced by Speech Therapists and OT's in public schools for special needs kids as well as in private therapy, say nothing negative at all.  If they have never heard of the Proloquo2go program, ask for their email address to send them a link and/or encourage them to visit the proloquo2go website.  You could also provide links to the Youtube demonstrations provided by proloquo2go (or app demos provided on a4cwsn.com).  Be sure to ask the case manager for all the necessary approval codes and coverage information so you are aware and comfortable with any out-of-pocket expenses you may incure.   They may tell you "NO" at this point.  If they do, ask them to email or fax you a letter of denial immediately.  Local Developmental Disability Divisions/Boards and many private funding organizations will require a medical insurance denial to apply for funds, so getting this letter can be very helpful.  Don’t get discouraged, there are still more ways to get funding!

4. Find supporting documentation and case studies to include with your claim.  Google articles on "iPads for children with special needs" or "benefits for children with [your child's specific condition] and iPads," etc. 

5. Copy your most recent speech evaluation and IEP if it indicates anything helpful.  And, have every doctor, therapist, school personnel or anyone else write a letter supporting your child's need for an "Augmentative Communication device such as the iPad with Proloquo2go."

 

 

The more information you can provide, the less likely they will argue against the need.  My personal insurance required that I pay for the device and then submit a claim form for reimbursement. 

 

When submitting your Request for Approval:

• Include a cover letter explaining what you would like to purchase and why.  Explain how it will be used and what benefits it would provide your child.

• Supporting Documents from Google, etc.

• Letters from Doctors, Speech Therapists, etc. expressing "Medical Necessity"

• Receipt of the Device and the AugCom App

 

 

 

When submitting your Claim for Reimbursement:

• Include a cover letter explaining 1) What you purchased, 2) What is was for, 3) How it should be coded and 4) That it should be treated as an IN NETWORK provider.  

• Include the notes (Name and Dates/Time of phone calls) from your conversation with your case manager.

• Supporting Documents from Google, etc.

• Letters from Doctors, Speech Therapists, etc.

• Receipt of the Device and the AugCom App

 

CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes that have worked

 

97755- Assistive Technology Assessment

*To restore, augment or compensate for existing function, optimize functional tasks and/or environmental accessibility (for assessment and reassessment only)

 

E2511- Speech Generating Software (TapToTalk, Proloquo2go, & other AAC apps)

 

97532- Cognition skill Development

*Development of cognitive skills to improve attention, memory, problem solving, (includes compensatory training)

 

97535- ADL/Home Management

*Activities of daily living (ADL) and compensatory training, meal preparation, safety procedures, and instructions in use of assistive technology devices/adaptive equipment (including home environment/modif analysis)

 

97537-Community/work reintegration training

*eg. shopping, transportation, money management, avocational activities and/or work environment/modification analysis, work task analysis, use of assistive technology device/adaptive equipment.