Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology Services

Revised: August 28, 2025

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· Overview

· Authorization Requirements

· Eligible Providers

· Covered Services

· Supervising SLP Role and Responsibilities

· Covered SLPA Services When Delegated by a Supervising SLP

· Noncovered Services

· Health Records and Documentation

· Billing

· Legal References

Overview

The practice of speech-language pathology means identification, assessment, interpretation, diagnosis, habilitation, rehabilitation, treatment and prevention of disorders of speech articulation, fluency, voice and language.

The practice of audiology means identification, assessment, interpretation, diagnosis, rehabilitation and prevention of hearing disorders.

Authorization Requirements

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) team authorizes services included in an IEP or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Physician (primary care provider) orders or referrals are not required. The licensed speech language pathologist (SLP) or audiologist working within their scope of practice evaluates services needed; develops the treatment plan and goals or care plan; treats the patient; or supervises and gives direction to a licensed speech language pathology assistant.

Eligible Providers

The following providers can perform speech and language pathology or audiology services:

· Audiologist: A person who has a master’s degree or doctoral degree; meets the requirements under Minnesota Statutes, 148.511-148.5198; and is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

· (Educational) Speech Language Pathologist (SLP): A person who meets the requirements in Minnesota Statutes, 256B.0625, subdivision 26; holds a master’s degree in speech-language pathology; is licensed by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) as an educational speech-language pathologist; and has either a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech and Hearing Association, or completed the equivalent educational requirements and work experience necessary for the certificate, or is completing a supervised clinical fellowship.

· Speech Language Pathologist (SLP): A person who has a master’s degree or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology; meets the requirements in Minnesota Statutes, 148.511-148.5198; and is licensed by either MDH or PELSB (Minnesota Statutes, 122A.184

· Speech Pathology Assistants (SLPA): A person who meets the requirements under Minnesota Statutes, 148.511 to 148.5198; and is licensed by MDH. Refer to the Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Licensing MDH webpage for more information.

· Clinical fellowship licensee: A person who has a master’s degree; and is completing a supervised clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology or audiology according to the requirement in Minnesota Statutes, 148.511-148.5196 (This program is available for a limited time.)

Covered Services

Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) covers the following services:

· Individual and group speech and language pathology services provided by a SLP, SLPA, an educational SLP who meets the requirements, or a clinical fellowship licensee

· Audiology services provided by an audiologist

· Specialized maintenance therapy provided by a SLP and that is specified in the child’s IEP or IFSP and is necessary for maintaining a child’s functional status at a level consistent with the child’s physical or mental limitations. Specialized maintenance therapy must meet one of the following: prevent deterioration and sustain function; provide interventions that enable the child to live at their highest level of independence (in the case of chronic or progressive disability); or, provide treatment interventions for children who are progressing, but not at a rate comparable to expectations of restorative care

· Some telehealth services provided by a SLP

· Face-to-face assessments, interpreting test results and writing reports. Meetings to discuss evaluation results or make recommendations are not covered.

Note: SLPAs are not eligible to enroll with MHCP. However, MHCP reimburses for services provided by SLPAs when they are supervised by a qualified MHCP enrolled SLP and delivered under the SLP’s direction.

Supervising SLP Role and Responsibilities

A supervising SLP authorizes and accepts full responsibility for the performance, practice, and activity of a SLPA. The amount and type of supervision required must be based on the skills and experience of the SLPA. A minimum of one hour every 30 days of consultative supervision time must be documented for each SLPA.

· A supervising SLP must meet the following criteria:

· be licensed by either MDH or PELSB (Minnesota Statutes, 148.511 to Minnesota Statutes, 148.5198 or Minnesota Statutes, 122A.184)

· hold a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or its equivalent as approved by the commissioner; and

· have completed at least ten hours of continuing education in supervision

· Direct supervision means the SLP is observing and guiding during the performance of a delegated duty that occurs either on site and in view, or using real-time, two-way interactive audio and visual communication.

· A supervising SLP must be available to communicate with a SLPA at any time the SLPA is in direct contact with a client.

· A supervising SLP must document activities performed by the SLPA that are directly supervised by the supervising SLP. At a minimum, the documentation must include the following:

· information regarding the quality of the SLPA’s performance of the delegated duties; and

· verification that any delegated clinical activity was limited to duties authorized to be performed by the SLPA

· A supervising SLP must review and cosign all informal treatment notes signed or initialed by the SLPA.

· A full-time SLP may supervise no more than two full-time SLPAs or the equivalent of two full-time assistants.

· Once every 60 days, the supervising SLP must treat or cotreat, with the SLPA, each client on the SLPA’s caseload.

Covered SLPA Services When Delegated by a Supervising SLP

· Assisting with speech language and hearing screenings

· Implementing documented treatment plans or protocols developed by the supervising speech language pathologist

· Documenting client performance, including writing progress notes

· Assisting with assessments of clients

· Assisting with preparing materials and scheduling activities as directed

· Performing checks and maintenance of equipment

· Supporting the supervising SLP in research projects, in-service training, and public relations programs

· Collecting data for quality improvement

Note: Any agency or clinic intending to use the services of a SLPA must provide written notification to the client or, if the client is younger than 18 years old, to the client's parent or guardian before a SLPA may perform any of the services listed under Covered SLPA Services When Delegated by a Supervising SLP.

Noncovered Services

The following services are not covered when provided by a SLPA:

· Performing standardized or non-standardized diagnostic tests, performing formal or informal evaluations, or interpreting test results

· Demonstrating strategies included in the feeding and swallowing plan developed by the SLP or share such information with students, patients, clients, families, staff, and caregivers

· Participating in parent conferences, case conferences, or interdisciplinary team meetings without approval from the SLP or misrepresent themselves as a SLP at such a conference or meeting. The SLP and SLPA are required to meet before the parent conferences, case conferences, or interdisciplinary team meetings to determine the information to be shared

· Providing client or family counseling or consulting with the client or the family regarding the client status or service

· Writing, developing, or modifying a client's individualized treatment plan or individualized education program

· Selecting clients for service

· Discharging clients from service

· Disclosing information to other team members without permission from the supervising SLP

· Making referrals for additional services

Note: SLPAs must only sign documents, including treatment plans, education plans, reimbursement forms, or reports, when cosigned by the supervising SLP. The SLPA must sign or initial all treatment notes written by the assistant, which must then also be cosigned by the supervising SLP.

Refer to Covered and Noncovered IEP Health-Related Services for all other covered and noncovered IEP health related services.

Health Records and Documentation

Review the Record Keeping and Documentation section for an overview of the basic IEP record keeping, documentation service time and encounter reporting requirements.

Billing

Submit claims using the 837P Professional claim type. Refer to the MN–ITS IEP User Guide for step-by-step instructions for direct data entry claims. Batch billers submitting X12 837P claims may review the MHCP 5010/D.0 Compliance webpage and the AUC Minnesota Uniform Companion Guide for transaction guidelines.

Review IEP Billing and Authorization Requirements for more information.

Legal References

Minnesota Statutes, 148.515 (Qualifications for Licensure)
Minnesota Statutes, 148.5181 (Licensure; Speech-Language Pathology Assistants)
Minnesota Statutes, 148.5192 (Speech-Language Pathology Assistants)
Minnesota Statutes, 256B.0625, subdivision 26(c) (Covered Services) (Special education services)
Minnesota Rules 9505.0390, subpart 1 (L) (Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Services) (Definitions)