51福利社

At 51福利社鈥檚 Speech and Language Clinic, graduate students from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders work with professional speech-language pathologists to provide patients with comprehensive, evidence-based services. Now, a major change in billing practices will help even more patients benefit from the potentially life-changing therapies offered at the clinic.

Beginning this March, the clinic will no longer bill insurance for their services, instead shifting to a 鈥減ay it forward鈥� model. The move, clinic officials say, will result in more equitable, accessible treatment options, particularly for patients of limited means.

鈥淚t fulfills our goal to provide equity in services. Even with insurance, patients are having to pay a copay,鈥� says Asha Pence, clinic鈥檚 director. 鈥淪ome of our pediatric patients with complex needs are in therapy for upwards of three years. That can be costly for so many families.鈥�

The clinic, which accepts referrals directly from clients, physicians, educators, and other allied health service providers, sees individuals with a variety of communication needs. These range from adults with Parkinson鈥檚 to pediatric patients with communication disorders. Services include comprehensive evaluations and therapy in speech, language, and cognitive-communication.聽

Graduate students working with the clinic provide services on-site in Spokane and also in community-based facilities. Students working off-campus are partnered with speech clinics in the greater Spokane area to learn about the individualized community clinic experience, and provide services there.聽

鈥淭his allows us to connect directly with our community, rather than being restricted to internal work on campus,鈥� says Pence. 鈥淲e have helped alleviate some of their waitlist by assigning students, and they get to go to that community clinic and provide care,鈥�

If you are interested in learning more about the University Speech Clinic, please visit our website.