Recently members of WSHA’s Medicaid Committee met with representatives of the Department of Health Services (DHS). Purpose of the meeting was to follow up on issues presented in February addressing barriers encountered by providers when seeking services for Medicaid members through the prior authorization (PA)/adjudication process. Positive changes obtained from providers were shared:

• number of questions on returned PAs has decreased

• requests for submission of ABA plans of care have decreased

• approvals for members with complex diagnoses over the age of 6 have been noted

Providers have observed a new pattern utilized by reviewers. Approval messages include a list of items to be addressed should a subsequent PA be submitted. Reportedly, this has been helpful and has resulted in approval of subsequent PAs. Providers also reported “cut and paste” questions and requirement to provide language-age equivalents for members with complex habilitation/rehabilitation needs continue to appear on returned PAs.

DHS presented recent data on the adjudication of durable medical equipment, i.e. speech generating devices (SGD). 305 SGDs (98% of submissions) were approved from September 2023 through February 2024. The most common reasons cited for returns on these PAs were:

• missing manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for requested accessories

• missing documentation, e.g. PA forms, prescriptions, face-to-face requirements, clerical errors

• request for IEP

• face-to-face and prescription requirements were not met

• functional use of SGD across settings was missing

Members pointed out SLPs provide recommendations for SGDs and accessories, but the vendor frequently fails to provide pricing information. Following collaboration with school-based SLPs it is difficult to obtain IEPs. DHS suggested providers go back to vendors, CESAs, special education directors, Children’s Long-Term Support Council to address these issues.

WSHA’s Medicaid Committee is seeking information from providers on their experience with the PA process. Please submit questions or concerns pertinent to the issues described above and to report other barriers accessing/providing speech/language services for Wisconsin’s Medical Assistance members. WSHA@badgerbay.co (not .com)

Congratulations to Dawn Merth-Johnson, WSHA Past President and longtime volunteer, on receiving the ASHA 2024 Dorothy Dreyer Award for Volunteerism.   

The Dorothy Dreyer Award for Volunteerism may be given annually to one individual who has made significant and outstanding volunteer contributions to ASHA and serves as a model of volunteerism to others. Individuals may be nominated for exceptional contributions that have had subsequent impact on the professions, ASHA members, and clients. These contributions may have occurred over a defined period of time or over a period of many years and may include service on various ASHA committees, boards, councils, Board of Directors, and/or the ASHFoundation.

WSHA is also proud of Dr. John Heilmann, Dr. Thomas Sather, Dr. Audra Sterling who received ASHA Fellowship.

Fellowship is one of the highest honors the Association bestows. To be awarded Fellow, the nominee must have made outstanding contributions to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders.

Dearest Colleagues, 

As I begin my term as President of WSHA, I want to thank our outgoing President, Jen Eggert for her tireless work on behalf of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists over the past two years. We appreciate all your work to support students and professionals. 

I am excited to continue with all the great work, advocating on behalf of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists throughout the state. We have wonderful educational and advocacy plans for the upcoming year, which I am looking forward to being involved in.  Most of all, I am thankful for the trust you all have put in me to support students and professionals throughout the state.  

The future of the professions is bright! 

Sincerely, 

Cindy Lund

Pictured here are Jennifer Eggert and Cindy Lund

As my term as President of WSHA comes to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you.  It has been inspiring to witness the collective effort and enthusiasm of our community of students and professionals.  I am deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to work alongside such passionate individuals.  I look forward to supporting and celebrating the association's future successes.

With sincere appreciation,

Jen Eggert

Florence (Flo) Filley passed away on May 7, 2024 at the age of 95. Florence impacted many lives in Wisconsin through her work as a clinical instructor in the area of fluency disorders at UW-Madison and through her private practice. She was the recipient of a number of awards and accolades during her career including the WSHA Lifetime Achievement Award. Florence co-authored a text book on treating children’s speech fluency with her colleague Lois Nelson and presented at a number of WSHA conventions on the topic of fluency.  The obituary is available here Wisconsin State Journal.

The WSHA Education Committee is looking for topics you are interested in presenting and you think others will enjoy learning about! If interested in presenting, please submit your presentation proposal no later than June 15, 2024.

We’re looking for a student representative to serve on the WSHA Board of Directors. The current opening is for the SLP position. The SLP student representative will participate in the quarterly board meetings and will work with the AuD Student Representative to plan the student track held during the WSHA Annual Convention as well as other student activities. If interested in this position, please submit your Candidate Statement and resume to WSHA@badgerbay.co. The deadline to submit your interest is June 30, 2024. 

Lawrence D. Shriberg, Ph,D. passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 26, 2024. Dr. Shriberg had a long and meritorious career as a Professor in the UW-Madison Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and as a Research Professor at the UW-Madison Waisman Research Center. He directed the Phonology Project and co-directed the Phonology Clinic. His research focused on “the origins, assessment, and treatment of children with speech and motor speech disorders of known and unknown origin.” Across his career, Dr. Shriberg was the recipient of many awards and accolades. Most notably in 2002 ASHA recognized Dr. Shriberg with the Honors of the Association Award, ASHA’s highest award that “recognizes distinguished contribution to the field of speech, language, and hearing. Honors recipients are well known throughout the nation and the world for a lifetime of innovative clinical practice, insightful and rigorous research, creative administration, effective legislative activity, outstanding teaching, or other distinguished professional contribution.” In 2004 ASHA awarded Dr. Shriberg the Alfred K. Kawana Council of Editors Award. “The award recognizes a sustained history of exemplary publications. It is awarded to a scholar whose journal articles are meritorious in terms of educational, scientific, or clinical value … and whose contributions extended over a period of at least 10 years.” Dr. Shriberg was a kind, generous, humble person who quietly volunteered and did community service in his free time. He was highly respected and will long be remembered by so many in our field.

*This information was condensed and adapted from the websites posted by the UW-Madison Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the UW-Madison Waisman Center.

The consolidation and Appropriation Act of 2024 (H.R. 4366) will reduce Medicare Part B cuts from the anticipated 3.4% to 1.7% for the remainder of 2024 for outpatient services. These cuts are part of budget neutrality that started in 2021.  WSHA members can continue to participate in take action advocacy efforts via ASHA in order to mitigate Medicare Part B cuts at https://www.votervoice.net/ASHAaction/campaigns/90403/respond. CMS released the proposed Fee Schedule Rules for both skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehab facilities at the end of March and early April. Within these rules there were several changes, but most notably payments to SNFs will increase by 4.1% in FY 2025 and payments for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) will increase 2.8% for in fiscal year 2025.

On behalf of the WSHA Foundation, Inc., it is my pleasure to announce the opening of the application process for the 2024-25 WSHA Foundation, Inc. Scholarships.

Please note that all scholarship awards have been increased this year by $1,000 per scholarship! The Board of Directors of the WSHA Foundation, Inc. hopes that this announcement will encourage many students to apply for the wonderful scholarship opportunities!

Please encourage the students in your programs to apply for the scholarships.  Information for each of the following scholarship awards can be found at:  wisha.org !

Here are the specific scholarships offered to graduate students in Speech Pathology and Audiology programs within the state:

Jack Kile Scholarship: $2,000.00

Risa Mari Otto Scholarship: $3,000.00

Nancy McKinley Scholarship: $2,000.00

Friends of WSHA Scholarship: $2,500.00

Heart of Healthcare Scholarship: $2,500.00

Judith and David Ward Scholarship: $2,000.00

The Vicki Lord Larson and James R. Larson Research Grant: $2,000.00

Since founding the WSHA Foundation in 2000 we have awarded over $200,000.00 in scholarships to deserving students.  We hope you will encourage your students to take advantage of this wonderful honor and opportunity.

If you have questions or would like to establish a scholarship or donate, please contact: Caryn Easterling at caryn@uwm.edu or cseasterling@aol.com

Sincere best wishes, 

Caryn Easterling, PhD
President WSHA Foundation, Inc.

Board of Directors
Jodi Antinoja
Amy Chavie
Jenna Haberkorn
Jamie Mayer
Sarah Virlee Zapien