Does Medicare cover speech devices?

Asked by: Shayna Reichel  |  Last update: August 1, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (14 votes)

Medicare recognizes speech-generating devices (SGDs) as Durable Medical Equipment (DME), which is a covered benefit for Medicare beneficiaries under the Social Security Act (Section 1861).

Does Medicare pay for assistive devices?

Talk to your doctor if you think you need some type of DME. If I have Medicare, can I get DME? Anyone who has Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) can get DME as long as the equipment is medically necessary.

Does Medicare cover sleep apnea mouth devices?

In conclusion, Medicare will cover mouth guards for sleep apnea if they are deemed medically necessary by your doctor. Using a mouth guard for sleep apnea can help improve your sleep quality, reduce daytime fatigue, and may even lower your risk of stroke or heart attack.

Does insurance cover speech devices?

Our clients frequently inquire about insurance requirements for speech generating devices. Fortunately, in the U.S., most of our devices are eligible for coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Insurance.

Are speech generating devices covered by Medicare?

Medicare recognizes speech-generating devices (SGDs) as Durable Medical Equipment (DME), which is a covered benefit for Medicare beneficiaries under the Social Security Act (Section 1861).

Setting the Record Straight on Medicare and Speech-Generating Device Technology

42 related questions found

Why would insurance deny speech therapy?

Since speech therapy can last months or even years, many insurers sometimes try to avoid paying. Insurance companies generally do this by stating that speech therapy is not medically necessary.

Who qualifies for oral appliance for sleep apnea?

Oral appliances work best for people with mild to moderate OSA who can't use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. A CPAP is a machine that attaches to your airway through a tube and mask you wear at night that sends pressurized air through your airways, keeping them open.

Is inspire covered by Medicare?

Is Inspire covered by Medicare? Medicare is reimbursing the cost of Inspire therapy based on medical necessity in many geographies across the United States. An Inspire trained physician can discuss Medicare coverage in your area during an initial consultation.

What is the average cost of sleep apnea mouth guard?

The average cost for a sleep apnea mouth guard ranges from $1,800 to $2,000. This includes the appliance, dental visits, and follow-ups. Many health insurance companies will cover the expense.

What DME is not covered by Medicare for seniors?

What kind of equipment does Medicare not cover? Examples: wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, power scooters, portable oxygen equipment, orthotics, prosthetics, certain diabetes supplies.

How long will Medicare pay for home health care?

You can continue to receive home health care for as long as you qualify. However, your plan of care must be recertified every 60 days by your doctor. Your doctor may make changes to the hours you are receiving or other services, depending on whether the level of care you are receiving is still reasonable and necessary.

Do I own my oxygen concentrator after 5 years?

You'll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for these deliveries. The supplier that delivers this equipment to you in the last month of the 36-month rental period must provide these items, as long as you medically need them, up to 5 years. The supplier owns the equipment during the entire 5-year period.

How do you pay for speech therapy?

What are the Different Ways of Paying for Speech Therapy
  1. Private Pay. If you pay for speech therapy out-of-pocket, the cost will vary depending on the type of therapy and the therapist you see. ...
  2. Private health insurance. ...
  3. Medicare. ...
  4. Medicaid. ...
  5. Scholarships. ...
  6. Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

How many therapy sessions does Medicare pay for?

Yes, Medicare does limit the number of counseling sessions, specifically under Medicare Part B. Initially, you're allowed up to 20 outpatient individual or group therapy sessions per year. However, it's important to note that further sessions may be authorized if deemed medically necessary by your healthcare provider.

Does Medicare cover speech therapy for patients with dysphagia?

Speech-language pathology services are covered under Medicare for the treatment of dysphagia, regardless of the presence of a communication disability. The Medicare Benefit Policy Manual , Chapter 15, "Covered Medical and Other Health Services," §§220 and 230.3.

What is the downside of inspire?

The most common side effects associated with treatment are tongue abrasion, mouth dryness, and discomfort stemming from the nerve stimulator. In rare cases, some people experience muscle atrophy and partial tongue paralysis. Your doctor can fine-tune your device's settings to help alleviate these side effects.

How do I qualify for inspire device?

The eligibility requirements for Inspire stimulation therapy match those of the STAR trial:
  1. Age 22 years or older.
  2. Moderate to severe OSA (AHI 15 to 65 events/hour)
  3. Body mass index (BMI) below 33 kg/m. ...
  4. Difficulty accepting or adhering to CPAP.

Who is not a good candidate for inspire?

Contraindications for the use of Inspire implant include the following: Central + mixed apneas >25% of the total apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) Any anatomical finding that would compromise the performance of upper airway stimulation, such as the presence of complete concentric collapse of the soft palate.

Does Medicare pay for sleep apnea devices?

Yes. Original Medicare Part B (medical insurance), which pays for durable medical equipment (DME), helps cover some of the costs of sleep apnea machines if: Your doctor diagnoses you with OSA after a sleep study. Your doctor and device provider participate in the Medicare program.

How to keep your tongue forward while sleeping?

Oral appliances are sometimes recommended for managing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A tongue stabilizing device (TSD) is one that can help sleep apnea by pulling the tongue forward, improving breathing and reducing waking up throughout the night due to low oxygen levels.

What is the newest treatment for sleep apnea?

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity, to be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Will Medicare pay for speech therapy?

In most cases, speech-language pathology services and other forms of outpatient therapy like occupational therapy or physical therapy) will be covered by Medicare Part B, which will pay 80% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Can speech therapy be free?

Speech therapy is offered free or at low cost for eligible families. As a rule, the RiteCare® Clinics accept preschool children who have difficulty speaking or understanding the spoken word or school-age children who have difficulty learning to read. Some centers also offer literacy training for adults.

How to get insurance to cover speech therapy?

The medical necessity of speech and language therapy.

Insurance companies need proof that speech therapy is medically necessary. The speech therapist plays an important role here. Their job is to explain why they recommend speech therapy. They can also show why not receiving therapy may be harmful.