ASPS RemoteSpeech VTx

Did you know proposed changes to federal student loans could exclude SLP, OT, and PT graduate programs?

The Department of Education is narrowing the definition of a “professional degree program.” While fields like medicine and dentistry made the list, essential rehabilitation professions—SLP, OT, and PT—are currently excluded in the draft.

This isn't just semantics. Losing this designation could mean lower federal borrowing limits for future students, forcing them toward high-interest private loans and potentially worsening workforce shortages in hospitals and schools.

These programs require advanced degrees, national certification, and intense clinical experience. They meet every standard of a "professional degree."

The Call to Action: A public comment period will open soon. It is vital that universities, clinicians, students, and employers speak up to propose revisions.

Keep an eye out for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and get ready to advocate for the future of rehabilitation therapy.

I am incredibly excited to announce that I will be presenting at the ASHA 2025 Convention in Washington, D.C.!

I'm also thrilled to share that this presentation is one of the few selected to be live-streamed for attendees at home.

Join me for my 1-hour seminar: "EMBRACING THE FUTURE: NAVIGATING TELETHERAPY TRENDS IN OUR PROFESSION"

🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 20th 🕓 Time: 4:30 PM 📍 Location: Room CC/144B (Level 1) 🏢 Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Whether you're attending in person or virtually, I look forward to exploring the exciting future of teletherapy together.

Don't forget to stop by and say hello! Make sure you visit my booth in the convention hall.

See you in D.C.!

Tired of licensing red tape? Good news for SLPs! The ASLP-IC is bringing more flexibility to multi-state practice, with Louisiana and West Virginia now on board! 🙌 Learn how this can benefit your teletherapy and multi-state services in my new blog post.

https://remotespeech.com/navigating-multi-state-licensing-for-speech-language-pathologists/

Plus, if you're at ASHA, let's connect! I'm speaking on navigating teletherapy trends.

🛑 The Telehealth Cliff is Here: Immediate Impact of the Government Shutdown on Medicare Clients

The government shutdown (starting Oct 1st) has rolled back crucial telehealth flexibilities overnight.

For our Medicare teletherapy clients, this means:
❌ No more sessions from home for many.
❌ Loss of audio-only session options.
❌ Returning to pre-pandemic geographic/site restrictions.

This threatens access for those who need care most, especially those with mobility and transportation challenges.

What we must do now:

Prioritise Client Communication: Explain the changes and discuss alternatives.

Hold Telehealth Claims: Medicare contractors advise holding claims for ~10 business days for potential retroactive rule restoration.

Advocate: Use your voice! Contact your legislative representatives to share how this cuts off essential care.

This is more than policy—it's about continuity of care. Let's support each other and advocate for our clients' access.