Connecticut Telepractice Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of audiology and/or speech-language pathology. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.
Telepractice Laws and Regulations
Under Connecticut state law, audiologists and speech-language pathologists are allowed to deliver services via telepractice. Providers are only allowed to provide telehealth services to a patient when they are communicating via real-time, interactive, two-way communication technology or store and forward technologies and have access to, or knowledge of, the patient's medical history.
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists are also required to adhere to the same standard of care and in-person practice. Further, at the time of a provider's first telehealth interaction with a patient, the provider must inform the patient concerning the treatment methods and limitations of treatment using a telehealth platform and obtain their consent to receive telehealth services. Check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency or temporary provisions.
Reference: Connecticut Public Act No. 18-148
Telesupervision State Licensure Board Laws and Regulations
This state has no laws or regulations for telesupervision.
Support Personnel
No regulations. Check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency or temporary provisions.
Clinical Fellow
No regulations. Check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency or temporary provisions.
Student Intern
No regulations. Check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency or temporary provisions.
Temporary Practice for Out-of-State Providers
Persons licensed or certified in another state, may offer their services in state for a total of not more than 30 days in any calendar year. Unlicensed persons from another state may offer audiology or speech-language pathology, provided such person meets requirements for state licensure, and services are performed for no more than 5 days in any calendar year.
References: Connecticut Speech-language Pathology Practice Act, Section 20-413, Connecticut Audiology Practice Act, Section 20-395e.
Telepractice Reimbursement Laws and Regulations
Telepractice Private Insurance
Connecticut mandates coverage of telehealth in state-regulated health plans, and includes audiology and speech-language pathology services. Under this mandate, the following conditions apply:
- Coverage shall be subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to all other benefits under the health plan.
- No plan shall exclude a service for coverage solely because it is provided only through telehealth and not through in-person consultation, or be required to reimburse a treating or consulting health care provider for the technical fees or technical costs for the provision of telehealth services.
- Health plans are not prohibited from conducting utilization review for telehealth services, provided such utilization review is conducted in the same manner and uses the same clinical review criteria as a utilization review for an in-person consultation for the same service.
Reference: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 38a-526
Telepractice Medicaid
The law is not clearly defined indicating that any healthcare provider and service may be covered under the managed care plan. It is left up to interpretation and/or will be determined by the payers. Clinician will have to contact payer sources to determine if and how telepractice is covered for audiology and speech-language pathology services. Check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency or temporary provisions
References: State of Connecticut, Public Act No. 19-76 (2019) [PDF], Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17b-245e.
ASHA Guidance
Telepractice State Licensure
- Obtain a license from the state in which you reside and verify the requirements from the state in which the patient/client resides, which may include in-state licensure. If a state has not established regulations on telepractice, then contact the licensure board for further guidance, and ask for written verification.
- It is the responsibility of the clinician to review the regulations on the state licensure board website in their entirety and regularly for updates or changes.
Telesupervision
If a state has not established regulations on telesupervision, then contact the licensure board for further guidance and ask for written verification.
Reimbursement for Telepractice Services
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists should keep in mind that while a state may have passed telepractice reimbursement laws and/or regulations, this does not guarantee that payers will reimburse for these services. Learn more about considerations for audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
Resources
For further information on telepractice requirements for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, please visit these websites:
- ASHA Practice Portal: Telepractice
- Connecticut Department of Public Health Speech Language Pathology Licensure
- Connecticut Department of Public Health Audiologist Licensure
- State Telepractice Requirements and Reimbursement Maps [PDF]
- State Telesupervision Regulations Maps [PDF]
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.
