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  • 1.  Remote services

    Posted 12-01-2020 04:56 PM
    My district moved to remote at least until Jan.  There's a situation where a family is out of the country for 2 months but wants the SLP to continue to provide services.  I'm not finding much guidance on this.  Has anyone else had a similar issue arise?  If the student is still enrolled at the school, then can services be provided no matter the location without additional licensure concerns?

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    Jennifer
    Litleton, CO
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  • 2.  RE: Remote services

    Posted 12-02-2020 06:02 AM
    Hi Jennifer,

    it's a great question and one that many are struggling with, especially during these unprecedented times. I own a Telepractice platform for SLPs and I am involved in many of these discussions and I try to keep as much updated as possible on the subject.

    In general, providers can only see patients who are residents of their state of licensure. However, each state has then their own laws and regulations on Telepractice. ASHA has a breakdown of each state's Telepractice agenda. Please refer to your state for further information.

    If you are a Colorado licensed SLP, well, Colorado does not have any established Telepractice laws or regulations, which I understand makes it all more complicated.

    Off the record, these are some considerations I would make:
    1. Does your patient reside in the state in which you are licensed, regardless of where they are temporarily (for example, traveling on vacation)?
    2. Does the country in which they currently are have any laws and regulations regarding Telepractice?

    If you decide to see your patient remotely because you have a case that it is a therapeutic or medical necessity, I would make sure to document as much as possible: Proof of address, copy of passport, etc. so that if any of this comes to bite you back later, you have a compelling and legal argument to offer.

    I hope this helps.

    All the best,
    Guy

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    Gaetano "Guy" Fava, M.S., CCC-SLP
    Voice-Specialized Practitioner
    CEO, HiTalk
    www.hitalk.us
    New York, NY, USA
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Remote services

    Posted 12-02-2020 09:27 AM
    Hi Jennifer,

    ASHA created a new resource to help with this concern.  You are not alone as many SLPs across our country are facing the challenge of families temporarily residing elsewhere during this pandemic. 

    Please see ASHA's Serving Students in Other States and Countries Through Telepractice, which includes the following information regarding the delivery of services to students internationally:

    If you have a student who is temporarily living in another country, ASHA suggests contacting the professional society or regulatory body in the country where you wish to practice for guidance. ASHA maintains a list of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Associations Outside of the United States, which includes contact information. If there isn't an association in that country, or for additional information, ASHA suggests contacting the U.S. Embassy in that country or the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Education. When providing services outside of the U.S., ASHA-certified audiologists and SLPs must adhere to:
     
    Sincerely,
    Stacey

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    Stacey Ellison Glasgow, MA, CCC-SLP
    Pronouns: She/her/hers
    ASHA, Assoc. Dir., School Services
    SIG 1 ex officio
    sglasgow@asha.org
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Remote services

    Posted 12-02-2020 10:37 AM

    Hi Jennifer.

     

    This is not a new question for ASHA staff. It has come through the SLP teams, Audiology team, and Government Affairs - State Team. We would encourage you to visit this link regarding telepractice. Members should not assume that just because they are licensed in the state where the client permanently resides, that another state or country would not require additional credentialing. ASHA encourages members to check first.

     

    https://www.asha.org/advocacy/serving-students-in-other-states-and-countries-through-telepractice

     

    Hope this helps a bit.

     

    Tricia

     

    Tricia Ashby-Scabis, Au.D., CCC-A
    Director, Audiology Practices
    American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
    2200 Research Boulevard

    Office 309
    Rockville, MD 20850

    301-296-5790
    TAshby@asha.org

     

    Disclaimer: The above email response is based on the information provided to ASHA staff. ASHA is not in a position to verify the material you provided, and is, therefore, not responsible for its accuracy or completeness. ASHA's response to your question is not and should not be construed as legal advice, which can only be provided by an attorney.

    ASHA does not endorse specific programs, products, or services.

     




    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Remote services

    Posted 12-02-2020 02:29 PM
    You will need to find out the licensure requirements in the country where the student will be receiving services from. If they have a regulatory body, you may need to obtain licensure in that country.
    ASHA has a listing of speech and hearing associations in various countries on the website, so you may be able to contact them for information if you cannot find it.

    --
    Melissa Jakubowitz, M.A., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow
    Board Certified Specialist-Child Language (BCS-CL)
    eLiveNow (www.elivenow.com)





    Original Message