Fees and Rebates
Assessment
The cost of an initial assessment varies, based on the age of the child and the length of the assessment session. We usually allocate 90 minutes for the first assessment session.
Therapy
Therapy rates depend on the source of funding. Most clinic based therapy sessions are 40 to 60 minutes. Shorter, 30 minute sessions are only available in exceptional circumstances.
Here are some options that can help cover the costs of private speech therapy:
National Disability Insurance Scheme
New England Speech Pathology is a registered NDIS provider. We provide mobile and clinic based speech pathology services to eligible NDIS participants of all ages from Inverell, Bingara, Bundarra, Glen Innes, Moree, Warialda and surrounding areas. For outreach services (beyond Inverell) we endeavour to share the cost of travel across a number of NDIS participants. We are be able to provide some services using telehealth.
Our clients can be seen in the location that best suits them, be it in our clinics, their home, supported living setting, daycare centre, school or workplace. We engage carers, family, support workers, teachers, friends and anyone else significant in the lives of our clients to help to support and implement their therapy program.
Our approach to therapy is highly individualised and client-centred, focusing on unique strengths to maximise our client's opportunity to communicate successively and gain more independence in their everyday lives.
Private Health Insurance
A rebate for private Speech Pathology sessions may be available through your private health insurance. Please check with your private health insurer to find out if your policy includes cover for Speech Pathology. Each insurer and each policy has different rebate amounts and limits, so we are unable to advise specific rebates for private health insurance.
Medicare Rebates
Chronic Care Plans
We are registered Medicare Providers and are happy to be involved with Chronic Care Plans for clients, if initiated by your GP. A Chronic Care plan provides you with a partial rebate for 5 sessions per calendar year that is claimed through Medicare. To be eligible, your child must have a chronic medical condition and complex care needs requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Eligibility must be determined by your GP. These 5 Chronic Care sessions can be used to access speech pathology, and/or a range of other allied health services.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Follow-Up Services
If your family is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island descent and your child has had a health check with your GP, then they may be eligible for an additional 5 sessions per calendar year with a Medicare rebate.
Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) and Better Start
If your child has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or one of a number of other developmental disabilities, then they may be eligible for additional Medicare rebates with a referral from your Paediatrician or GP. Up to four services for assessment prior to diagnosis (in total per child) and up to 20 early intervention treatment services (in total per child) are available for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or one of the listed disabilities under Better Start (listed below). Please consult the Medicare website for more information: http://health.gov.au/mbsonline
Department of Social Services (was FACHSIA)
Helping Children with Autism Early Intervention
For children 7 years and under, with current diagnosis of autism or any other pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) such as Rett’s Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome or childhood disintegrative disorder.
If your child is under the age of 6 and has a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder or PDD, they may be eligible to register for funding for therapy and resources. For more information, or to apply for this funding, go to: Department of Social Services
Linda provides HCWA services through Brighter Access Inverell. The fees for Brighter Access HCWA services can be found on the Social Services website.
Better Start Initiative
The Better Start Initiative is for eligible children with a moderate or greater vision or hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, deafblindness, Prader Willi, Williams, Angelman, Kabuki Make Up, Retts Syndrome, Smith-Magenis, CHARGE, Cornelia de Lange or Cri du Chat syndromes or microcephaly.
If your child is under the age of 6 and has one of these diagnoses, they may be eligible to register for funding for therapy and resources. Children with one of the listed disabilities are also able to access Medicare rebates under Better Start .
For more information, or to apply for this funding, go to: Department of Social Services
Linda provides Better Start Early Intervention services through Horizon Early Intervention Tamworth. The fees for Horizon Better Start services can be found on the Social Services website.
New England Speech Pathology is a professional Speech Pathology service in the New England area of New South Wales.
We are located in Inverell NSW. We provide outreach services to Moree, Glen Innes, Warialda, Bingara, Tingha, and Bundarra on demand.
