CMS SOM App. E, Tag I-151

The organization is considered to have an adequate outpatient speech pathology

program if it can provide the diagnostic and treatment services to effectively treat

speech disorders.

Interpretive Guidelines §485.715(a)

A – General

In order for the organization to have an adequate speech-language pathology program, it

must have available qualified speech-language pathologists (refer to § 484.4 for the

requirements), and the necessary equipment to diagnose and treat the patients that it

accepts for services. Speech-language pathology services are aimed at improving a

patient’s communication, cognitive and linguistic skills, and hearing and swallowing

abilities.

Clinical services provided by speech-language pathologists may include, but are not

limited to, the following:

• Dysphagia (swallowing) evaluation and treatment;

• Selecting, fitting, and establishing effective use of prosthetic/adaptive devices for

communication and swallowing;

• Using instrumentation such as video fluoroscopy and computer technology to

observe, collect data, and measure parameters of communication and swallowing;

• Voice therapy to remediate disorders in vocal quality and volume;

• Language therapy to improve comprehension and expression; and

• Cognitive retraining.

Review the patient’s clinical record to ascertain what type of equipment, if any, is used

for the patient and if that equipment is available on the day of the survey.

B. Major Sources of Information

• Patient care policies and procedures;

• Clinical records; and

• Staff interviews and observations of therapies.