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Begin Your Journey with Us

Our Process

01

Schedule a free virtual or phone consultation.

We will listen to your concerns, share about our services, and send you intake paperwork via email.

02

​Schedule your first session.

We may begin an evaluation, start with a coaching/consultation session, or jump right into direct therapy sessions.

03

​Teamwork makes the dreamwork.

As we get to better know the strengths and needs of the individual we are working with, we will reach out to other team members to get everyone working together.

Young girl using the LAMP Words for Life AAC app on an iPad communicates with speech therapist holding a toy helicopter during therapy session.

Our Fees

We do not participate with any insurance companies and therefore, we are out of network. We provide monthly statements that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement should you have out-of-network speech therapy benefits.

 

While we are not contracted with any insurance companies, we work regularly with individuals having services funded through the Self Determination Program. 

 

Find out more about the Self-Determination Program here

We are vendored with Harbor Regional Center and Westside Regional Center for the services listed below.

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  • Early Intervention (0-3 years old) speech therapy with Harbor Regional Center (Vendor Number PH2520)

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  • AAC and Assistive Technology Assessments and Training for adults over 21 years old with both Harbor and Westside Regional Centers (Vendor Number PH2558)

FAQ's

  • AAC consultation
    Do you want to learn about what AAC programs are out there, discuss the pros and cons of different approaches, or troubleshoot and get guidance on a specific AAC-related topic? We provide consultation to professionals, families, agencies, school districts, and others seeking information about AAC and Assistive Technology. In some cases, consultation is specific to an individual who uses AAC/AT.
  • Parent/Caregiver Coaching
    Working on using an AAC device solely once or twice a week in a therapy session rarely translates into the type of gains that we hope for, but it’s also not simple to figure out how to incorporate at home. Parent/caregiver coaching is meant to give parents and caregivers the tools to identify and create opportunities for communication development with an AAC device within daily routines.
  • Professional Mentorship
    There is a massive need for more SLPs to be confident in providing AAC services. Rather than contracting with clinics or schools to complete AAC evaluations, we want to support you in building capacity amongst your own team. This may take the form of bi-weekly or once-monthly hour-long meetings to discuss complex clients with AAC needs. We will collaboratively brainstorm and offer guidance on intervention ideas and relevant resources.
  • Professional Development / Public Speaking
    We will work with you to develop a training tailored to meet the needs of your team. Previous topics have included the following: Incorporating AAC into the classroom Alternative Access Methods assessment and implementation AAC implementation in the home Understanding the AAC funding / evaluation process Building Language through Co-Created Narratives in Canva Training on specific AAC programs (e.g. LAMP Words for Life, TouchChat) Literacy and AAC
  • How long does an AAC evaluation take?
    We provide thorough AAC evaluations, which typically take between 8-12 hours depending on complexity- sometimes less, sometimes more. In order to get the best results, we must have a relationship with the individual we are assessing to get a sense of their full current communication abilities, which often can take time to get into a routine. We bill per session rather than charging one lump sum to make sure that we’re only charging for the amount of time we need for each unique individual.
  • How long are your sessions and how often?
    Sessions are typically 45-50 minutes long, but we do offer 30-minute session options also when appropriate. Clients are seen anywhere from 1-3 times per week depending on their communication needs.
  • Will you need to do a full evaluation?
    If an AAC system is in place and/or a speech and language evaluation has been completed in the last 6 months, we will simply get started by getting to know your child during therapy sessions. After the first visit, we will make a recommendation for frequency of visits. A treatment plan is typically established after about 4 weeks of sessions.
  • How do I get started?
    Contact us to schedule a free 30-minute virtual consultation where we will discuss what service(s) would be most beneficial.
  • How does my child get an AAC device?
    We write up a special report that has the details required by private insurance companies, Medi-Cal, and/or Medicare to fund AAC devices as “durable medical equipment” (DME). This combined with a prescription from the individual’s doctor get sent to the insurance department of whichever company manufactures the AAC device that is being recommended. The company’s insurance department then handles submitting the paperwork to your funding provider to get approved. Alternatively, AAC applications can be bought and placed on an iPad that the family already owns or purchases.
  • What are the benefits of getting an AAC system through my insurance?
    Dedicated AAC devices are built specifically with AAC users in mind, so they typically have a very sturdy custom-built case with a strong carry handle, kickstand and speaker attached. They also typically come with 5 year warranties, customer support in the event of malfunction or if you are in need of assistance, and free training for the family and team supporting the individual using the AAC device. Insurance typically covers one AAC device every 5 years.
  • What is the best AAC app or system?
    There isn’t a single AAC app that works best for everyone. Instead, we use a feature-matching approach in our evaluations, carefully assessing each individual’s unique abilities and communication needs to identify the system that best supports them. An effective AAC system should have a robust vocabulary available to grow with the individual over time. There are several excellent AAC programs available, the key is finding the one that aligns with your child’s individual needs and strengths.
  • How involved are parents/caregivers in the therapy and evaluation process?
    We encourage all parents to sit in during evaluation and therapy and to actively participate as much as possible. We provide coaching and education for parents during sessions. We also welcome siblings to join on occasion!
  • Will you communicate with my child’s school, other therapists, doctors, etc?
    Yes! We love collaborating with outside schools, providers, and medical professionals. We are happy to email or schedule phone consultations with any member of your child's team (anything 15 minutes or less is free of charge).
  • Do you take insurance?
    - We do not participate with any insurance companies and therefore, we are out of network. We provide monthly superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement should you have out of network speech therapy benefits. Click HERE to view information on how to determine your out-of-network coverage.
  • Do you accept any other funding sources besides insurance?
    Yes! We work with families funding services via the Self Determination Program. Learn more the Self Determination Program Center here We are vendors with Harbor Regional Center for early intervention speech therapy services for children under 3 years of age. We are also vendors with both Harbor Regional Center AND Westside Regional Centers to provide AAC assessments and training for individuals over 21 years old.

How to check your Out-of-Network Insurance Reimbursement

Refer to the information below for contacting your insurance company to determine how much you will be reimbursed for services with us.

Call the member services phone number on the back of your insurance card.

  • Tell the Customer Service Representative you would like information about your coverage for Speech Therapy benefits with an Out-Of-Network provider.

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  • Document your conversation:

    • Name of Customer Service Representative​

    • Date of call

    • Time of call​

 

  • Have the following information ready & available for the call in the event they need it:

    • Insured’s Name:

    • Patient’s name:

    • DOB:

    • Insurance Member ID:

    • Policy/Group Number:

    • Provider: Cynthia Heryanto / Communication Horizons Speech Therapy

    • NPI Numbers: 1801156682 (Cynthia) / 1760143390 (Communication Horizons)

 

  • Ask these questions if relevant, when speaking to the Customer Service Representative:

    • What is my coverage for Speech Therapy benefits?

    • Do I need pre-authorization for Speech Therapy? If so, how do I obtain it?​​

    • Can I submit a Superbill?

    • What is the process for filing a claim after I have a Superbill for services?

    • What additional forms do I need to submit when filing my claim?

    • Where can I find the forms on your website? Can you email me a copy?

    • Can I file my claim online or do I need to mail/fax it to you?

    • Do I need to file my claim within a certain amount of time after the date of service?

    • How long does it take to process my claim?

    • Can I appeal if a claim is denied?

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