NJSHA’s Legislative Committee works hand-in-hand with our governmental affairs consultants at Porzio Governmental Affairs.
We are currently nearing the end of a two-year legislative session which began on January 13, 2026 and will conclude on January 11, 2028. [please log in to the member center to continue reading this post].
We monitor NJSHA-related bills and regulations as they move through the legislative and regulatory processes and update this page regularly.
Update on CPT Code 92507
New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association and its Board of Directors have been closely monitoring the ongoing review of CPT® code 92507 by the American Medical Association.
Here’s what you need to know:
CPT 92507 remains active and valid.
SLPs should continue billing 92507 for individual treatment services related to speech, language, voice, communication, and/or auditory processing disorders.
Any potential changes would not take effect until January 1, 2027.
The AMA’s current review is part of its routine CPT code evaluation process. There will be a period of time for the public to submit feedback. Registration to do so is March 6. The deadline to submit comments is March 30. The meeting to discuss the comments will be April 30 – May 01, 2026. Due to confidentiality requirements, details are limited and no outcomes will be released until Summer 2026.
Please be cautious of speculation circulating online. Information about specific changes is not publicly available at this time.
What NJSHA is doing:
• Actively monitoring developments through national advocacy channels • Collaborating with ASHA and state association leaders • Preparing to provide timely updates and education if changes are finalized • Supporting members—especially those in private practice—through clear guidance and advocacy
We understand that uncertainty can be stressful. Please know that NJSHA remains committed to keeping you informed, supported, and connected. As information becomes publicly available, we will share updates and advocacy opportunities promptly.
Together, by relying on credible professional guidance and maintaining a unified voice, we will continue protecting access, reimbursement integrity, and quality care for the individuals and families we serve.
To find your state legislator’s phone number, you may use our searchable online directory or call your state’s switchboard at and ask for your Senator and/ or Representative’s office. When you call, if you speak with someone other than your legislator, take down their name and title. Upon reaching your state legislator on the phone, it’s easiest to follow these four basic steps:
IDENTIFY yourself by name and the organization (if any) that you represent or the town from which you are calling.
EXPLAIN why you are calling: “I am calling to support/oppose House Bill: HB ##, Senate Bill: SB## “. Be polite and concise. Creating 1 or 2 talking points will focus the content of your message. Too much information may confuse your message. Ask your legislator his/her position on this issue. Don’t assume that your legislator has prior knowledge of your issue. Be calm, respectful, and be prepared to educate, using local examples to accentuate your point.
REQUEST a written response to your phone call if you did not speak to your legislative member. If the legislator requires further information, provide it as soon as possible.
THANK the person who took the phone call for their time and consideration.
School-Based Speech-Language Pathology Services During Emergency Situations: A Guide for Practitioners and Districts (July 2020): NJSHA was invited to provide to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) recommendations and input regarding best practices when responding to emergency school closures under a temporary rule modification to allow the use of teletherapy.
This detailed document provides guidance for school-based SLSs and Districts regarding telepractice during emergency school closures, including technical needs of SLSs and students; therapy and assessment; and reopening /recovery suggestions for personal and environmental health.
New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS) (2015): NJTSS is a framework of academic and behavioral supports and interventions to improve student achievement, based on the core components of multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS) and the three-tier prevention logic of Response to Intervention (RTI). With a foundation of strong district and school leadership, a positive school culture and climate, and family and community engagement, NJTSS builds upon intervention and referral services (I&RS) and gives schools a structure to meet the academic, behavioral, health, enrichment, and social-emotional needs of all students. NJTSS
Dyslexia Handbook (2015): The purpose of The New Jersey Dyslexia Handbook: A Guide to Early Literacy Development & Reading Struggles is to provide information to educators, students, families, and community members about dyslexia, early literacy development, and the best practices for identification, instruction, and accommodation of students who have reading difficulties. Dyslexia Handbook
Student Growth Objectives for School based SLPs: SGOs are long-term academic goals for groups of students set by teachers/SLSs in consultation with their supervisors.
Elimination of Emergency Certification (2013): After years of meeting with staff at the Department of Education (DOE) and the Governor’s office and delivering oral and written testimony before the Board of Education (BOE), NJSHA was finally successful in seeing the elimination of the use of emergency certification for speech-language specialists working in schools. It was replaced with Certificate of Eligibility (CE) which mandates that the holder be matriculated in a master’s degree program in speech-language pathology/communications disorders (versus enrolled – the wording in the old emergency which NJSHA long fought to change. Elimination of Emergency Certification (2013)
ASHA’s New Jersey State Advocate for Medical Policy (STAMPs) ASHA’s New Jersey State Advocate for Reimbursement (STARs)
By Barbara Schwerin Bohus, MS, CCC-SLP, Christina Luna, PhD, CCC-SLP and Maryrose McInerney, PhD, CCC-A
The above-mentioned professionals are on monthly calls as New Jersey state advocates for Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance with ASHA and all the other states in the union who participate.
Highlights from the StAMP Meetings are as follows:
United Healthcare (UHC) Medicare Advantage Plan now requires prior authorization as of September 1, 2024 and Medicaid care plan went into effect for prior authorization on October 1, 2024.
There is an impact on UHC members and speech-language pathologists and audiologists providing care from a limited number of visits to a limited amount of time to complete the visits. There is a lack of clarity from UHC regarding the guidelines for prior authorization, e.g., if it impacts services provided in skilled nursing facilities. There is concern for lack of awareness on the patient’s part regarding preauthorization for services, and it is unclear if information is being sent out to UHC members regarding this change.
ASHA has met with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) regarding the prior rules for Medicare advantage plans. There is nothing in their baseline policy that prohibits these changes in UHC. ASHA is requesting that SLP members let ASHA know if you are facing problems due to this guideline
CPT Codes will now continue to be covered in 2025 for telehealth that were covered during the Public Health Emergency for Medicare patients. Legislation still needs to be extended to allow nonphysician clinical specialties to practice telehealth which would include audiologists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists. This only applies to traditional Medicare patients. Medicare advantage plans and private insurances have the option to follow Medicare guidelines or not. ASHA has been working to ask members to contact Congress to support continued authorization for audiologists and speech-language pathologists to deliver services under Medicare Part B.
ASHA has focused on a two-year extension for telehealth services.
ASHA is addressing the fact that the 2.83 percent payment cut is back in place for 2025, with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which establishes the payment policies for Part B outpatient services. Home Health Rule remains in place for 2025. Home Health payments continue to exceed their cost by 33 percent. The budget neutrality adjustment will remain in place for several years. Through this process the home health agencies must improve their patient admission criterion policy to ensure that they only admit patients when they have the proper staffing to address the patients’ issues. They also are looking to enforce that the professional clinical judgement of the physician and therapist determines the number of visits and not the home health administration due to financial needs.ASHA representatives attended the National Insurance Commissioners Association meeting in Chicago. They reported issues that various states were having using survey data.
There are concerns with the F ICD 10 codes which are to be used for mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders. There is a chronic issue throughout the US because of the mental health parity act. There are often issues with coverage for neurodevelopmental disorders. There is specific concern for coverage of ICD-10 code F84.0, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which is being classified as a mental health disorder. Speech-language pathologists should reach out to the NJ State Commissioner with any issues. ASHA is also interested in collecting the information as well. It was recommended that R ICD-D codes for speech/language disorders be included as diagnoses to support coverage.
There are rate cuts put into place for Medicaid services which have been reported in NJ. This is a byproduct of a new model for reimbursement. There is a tiered approach with a value-based initiative which is impacting providers across the professions and members of various Medicaid plans. ASHA detected through a survey across the US that 65% of respondents have made changes in their caseloads due to decreased reimbursement through Medicaid.
Medicaid’s role is unwinding post pandemic. The state agencies are reevaluating eligibility for Medicaid. States are varying how they are removing people from Medicaid policy plans from large groups to small numbers.
If you have any insurance questions or concern regarding specific cases then please reach out to [email protected] who will contact the NJ StAMPs and STARs
STAY INFORMED AND GET INVOLVED!
Take ACTION! Contact Members of Congress to add $ to the inflationary adjustment. The reductions harm providers and threaten patients.
Sign up for ASHA Headlines, Take Action email lists, follow ASHA Advocacy on Facebook an X (Twitter).
Use ASHA’s payment reduction infographic [PDF] to provide your own data about the impact of payment cuts on patients and providers.
ASHA’s New Jersey State Education Advocacy Leader (SEAL)
By Melissa Eldred, MS, CCC-SLP, New Jersey SEAL
“Salary supplements” has been a hot topic during ASHA’s SEAL teleconferences. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) across the country are seeking information about others who have successfully gained some sort of supplement. Some have achieved some type of financial compensation through recognition of licensure, ASHA’s CCC, elevated “teacher” status, by negotiating up the teacher pay scale or being placed on an alternate “Child Study Team” pay scale or through evidence of their role generating revenue through Medicaid billing. Others have earned financial support for attending professional development and/or stipends for mentorship and multilingual services. This article summarizes key information, as well as resources, so you can advocate in your district.
How can I work towards earning a salary supplement in my district?
Join NJSHA. Maintain membership. When we advocate together, our influence is much more powerful. Plus, NJSHA offers a plethora of resources to members, such as:
Workload/Caseload Document and the Technical Assistance Document, which contain language to be used when negotiating contracts.
Process for Obtaining a Salary Supplement
Dos and Don’ts for Obtaining a Salary Supplement
Work with your union.
Know your contract language.
Participate with your local union. Get to know the members. Share your unique role and how it differs from role of teachers with union officials.
Understand the system to help make it work for your advantage, and find practical tips on ASHA’s document, Working for Change: A Guide for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists in Schools https://www.asha.org/siteassets/uploadedfiles/working-change-schools-slps-audiologists-guide.pdf as well as, Advocating for Change https://www.asha.org/siteassets/slp/schools/advocating-for-change.pdf.
Many other resources specific to salary supplement may also be found on ASHA’s website (https://www.asha.org/slp/schools/schools_resources_advocacy/) under the section, Negotiating for Improved Working Conditions, Salaries and Funding.
Know New Jersey’s special education code (N.J.A.C. 6A:14)! This is essential to advocate on topics such as workload/caseload, grouping of students, building in time for case management activities, etc. Knowledge is power.
What supplements do other states receive? https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/statewide-salary-supplements/ Learn about others’ success stories! https://www.asha.org/slp/schools/salaries/advocacy-increases/
Share your success stories! Participate in ASHA’s survey to provide information that will be used to develop advocacy strategies on our behalf: https://ashaforms.wufoo.com/forms/local-district-salary-supplement-survey/.
NJSHA 2023 Survey Findings
NJSHA surveyed speech-language pathologists across New Jersey to identify trends related to the perceived shortage of SLPs in New Jersey as well as identify trends in hiring, and work satisfaction. This information was also gathered to identify potential issues that NJSHA can address. The following PowerPoint presentation can be reviewed here to obtain the results from the 1,197 respondents to this survey.
