Yes! I am able to travel to select areas of North Texas surrounding McKinney. If you do not live in the travel radius, I offer virtual therapy across Texas. 

If you live in Texas, I can support you and your child through virtual therapy and online parent consultation and coaching. Please let me know if you are interested in this service, as I occasionally travel across the state for trainings as well.

At this time, Heart & Soul Speech does not accept insurance. I am only able to accept private/cash pay. This can include using your Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA), as therapy qualifies as a health-related expense. No Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance is accepted. I am considered out-of-network with all insurance providers. You may choose to submit your own reimbursement from your out of network benefits if you wish. Many families receive reimbursement for some or all of the therapy costs.

If you wish to submit “out-of-network” therapy for reimbursement to your insurance company, I will provide you with an invoice for therapy that you can submit. The invoice contains information on the therapy diagnosis, treatment codes, sessions times, fees paid, and a description of services provided. Please call for more information if you wish to submit out of network reimbursement.

Please call your insurance company before scheduling your first session to ask these essential questions about your out-of-network benefits:

1. Does my policy cover a licensed speech-language pathologist who is out-of-network?
2. My speech-language pathologist only reports session dates, CPT codes, diagnosis, and payment. Is any more information required?
3. What percent of the allowed amount will you cover?
4. What is my out-of-network deductible and co-payment?
5. Does my policy cover charges for missed or cancelled sessions?

• Ask questions about your specific insurance plan and benefits (see above).
• Your out-of-pocket medical expenses can be reduced if your employer offers a pre-tax medical flexible spending account or if you have a health savings account (HSA).
• Ask your accountant about taking a medical tax deduction for your therapy needs.
• You may save money with an insurance plan that has a higher premium, but better benefits for out-of-network therapy. Ask about a Preferred Provider Organization or PPO.
• Talk with your local speech-language pathologist about payment options available or resources in the community to supplement your out-of-network therapy.
• Apply for a grant to cover health-related services not covered by a commercial insurance plan. Please see a list of resources available.

If you wish to submit “out-of-network” therapy for reimbursement to your insurance company, I will provide you with an invoice for therapy that you can submit. The invoice contains information on the therapy diagnosis, treatment codes, sessions times, fees paid, and a description of services provided. Please contact us for more information if you wish to submit out of network reimbursement.

Please call your insurance company before scheduling your first session to ask these essential questions about your out-of-network benefits:

1. Does my policy cover a licensed speech-language pathologist who is out-of-network?
2. My speech-language pathologist only reports session dates, CPT codes, diagnosis, and payment. Is any more information required?
3. What percent of the allowed amount will you cover?
4. What is my out-of-network deductible and co-payment?
5. Does my policy cover charges for missed or cancelled sessions?

I believe therapy is most sustainable and effective when needs are met in the most natural and comfortable environment, which is typically the home and community. Also, individuals and families are more confident and independent when given the opportunity to practice in their own environments. Research shows home-based therapy can provide long-lasting outcomes and generalization outside of therapy sessions. For these reasons, I choose to come to you!

Evaluations will be completed in a natural environment, most often your home. Testing will depend on your individual needs and goals, but may be standardized or play-based depending on age and developmental level. Case history and/or caregiver interview will also provide important information. I will work together with you to consider your needs, goals, and priorities before making any recommendations.

A feeding evaluation will include a “bedside” assessment if appropriate to determine ability to eat and drink safely. Caregiver interview and observations of mealtime routine will also be used to develop a therapy plan. If necessary and appropriate, I will coordinate with other health care professionals to meet an individual’s needs.

I will discuss assessment/testing procedures and purpose prior to administration. Following the evaluation, I will review initial findings, and will deliver final recommendations in a detailed written report, typically one week from testing. You will receive a copy of the evaluation report, as well as the referring physician if appropriate. 

I will travel to your home or community place for therapy sessions. Therapy will target individual needs and family priorities in a natural environment and through daily routines. This allows caregivers and individuals the opportunity to practice and transfer skills between various settings. The parent-coaching model and hands-on practice provided will increase confidence and independence in skills. Please read about my treatment philosophy to learn more.

For safety reasons, a person 21 years or older is required to be present at the time of therapy. Attendance and involvement in each session is also required.

Therapy sessions depend on individual needs; however, sessions typically last between 30-45 minutes, and may be 1-3x/week.

The length of a single session is determined by needs revealed at the evaluation and subsequent treatment plan. Treatment sessions are typically 30-45 minutes, 1-3x/week as needed. Duration of treatment depends on the number of goals and areas of need identified. Evaluations will be given periodically to determine growth and continued need of services.

• Your needs come first. Contracting with insurance companies could dictate the specific amount and type of therapy allowed. As a licensed speech-language pathologist my ethical obligations are to you, the patient. I will always advocate for what’s best for you.
• Only you can determine whether your treatment is working for you. When working with private insurance companies, their employees may make a judgement about your therapy needs without ever meeting or working with you. I partner with you to create a treatment plan that is customized to your goals.
• Only you know when you are ready to end therapy. Insurance companies may limit and deny your benefits while you are still in therapy, despite recommendations of expert health care professionals. Research shows therapy is most effective when sessions are consistent and opportunities for practice in a supportive environment is provided. Frequent and unnecessary breaks in therapy should not be dictated by insurance mandates, but purposefully through the treatment plan developed together with the speech-language pathologist.
• Insurance contracts take valuable time away from your plan of care. We all want to be good stewards of our money and insurance companies often do their due diligence in ensuring healthcare dollars are spent frugally and intentionally. However, as a licensed speech-language pathologist, I am able to report my findings as the expert without depending on private insurance approval. I can offer evidence-based treatment methods proven to be successful without insurance restriction. I have the knowledge and skills to treat patients with the highest quality care. I will not compromise care to suit insurance needs.

You may discontinue therapy at any time for any reason. Please let the office know if you would like to make a change in your plan of care.

• Cancellations/No Show: Please call at least 8 hours in advance to cancel your appointment. I reserve the right to charge a $25 cancellation/no show fee if you do not give us 8 hours notice or do not show up at your scheduled visit. **Excessive missed visits may lead to discharge from services.
• Missed Appointments: If you cancel or do not attend 3 sessions in a row, services will be on hold until scheduling problems are resolved. If no contact is made for three weeks, you will be discharged from all services by written notification mailed to your address.
• Late for Appointments: If you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, I reserve the right to cancel the appointment, and consider it a missed appointment (see policy for missed appointments above). If you are late for 3 or more sessions, services may be on hold until scheduling problems can be resolved.
• Clinician Cancellations: If I am not able to attend your appointment, I will contact you as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to reschedule your appointment in a timely manner. 

To cancel an appointment, call or text the office at (972) 439-5351.