AAC Funding

Speech generating devices (SGDs) may be funded using private health insurance, Medicare, and/or Medicaid.  Medicaid is the provider of last resort, so funding must be sought through other funding options first. 

As of April 1, 2022, WY Medicaid will now cover costs associated with Speech Generating Devices (SGDs).  You can access the details listed in the WY DME Manual beginning on page 96. This coverage will increase access to communication for many Wyoming residents.

Most SGD manufacturers offer assistance with the funding process and provide templates for report writing through the manufacturers funding department. 

Please do not hesitate to contact Terri Wofford at twofford@uwyo.edu or 307-766-2932 should you need assistance along the way. 

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Speech-Generating Device Funding Video

Jamison Hensley, Business Manager, with AbleNet, Inc., and Terri Wofford, Speech Language Pathologist, Co-manager of the Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources (WATR) shared information on funding speech-generating devices for individuals in Wyoming in this 20 minute video.

View the YouTube video here.

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Wyoming State Durable Medical Equipment Vendors for Speech Generating Devices

Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) are generally covered by insurance (private, Medicaid, Medicare) as durable medical equipment (DME).  To obtain funding for the device through insurance/WY State Medicaid you will need to go through a WY DME vendor.  The vendors listed below are WY Medicaid/Medicare DME vendors for SGDs and their associated website links below.  Each vendor provides different types of SGDs, access means, vocabularies/apps, pricing, and warranty.  As you decide on a vendor look at the warranty provided, as you want to ensure it has a warranty that spans 5 years, as SGDs can generally only be funded every 5 years.   

• Ablenet Inc https://quicktalkerfreestyle.com/
• EyeTech Digital Systems https://eyetechds.com/
• Forbes Rehab Services Inc https://www.forbesaac.com/
• Control Bionics https://www.controlbionics.com/products/
• Prentke Romich-Saltillo https://store.prc-saltillo.com/
• Tobii Dynavox  https://us.tobiidynavox.com/pages/funding?tab=3

Each vendor will have a funding department.  Most funding departments provide online templates for the funding report and assist with the funding packet submission.  Once you select a vendor, connect with their funding department for report submission.  Here's a link to some funding report template/examples from PRC-Saltillo. https://aacfunding.com/funding-101/templates-samples

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