On a therapy waitlist? What to do while you wait

This guide is for parents and adults on a waitlist for occupational, physical or speech therapy. Join more than one list, ask for cancellations, finish the paperwork now, and use the public routes a child may qualify for: early intervention for a child under 3 needs no doctor’s referral, and a parent can ask the public school to evaluate a child aged 3 or older.⁠^1,2

How long is the wait for OT, PT or speech therapy?

It depends on the clinic, the service and your coverage, so ask each clinic for two numbers: the wait for the evaluation and the wait for regular treatment after it. The two can differ.

One international picture comes from speech therapy for children. In a 2021 survey of 264 speech-language pathologists in 10 countries, 73.6% had a waiting list at work; reported waits ranged from 0 to 42 months and averaged about 8 months, and infants, toddlers, children with feeding difficulties and children who stutter were the groups most often given high priority.⁠¹⁵

Which waits have a time limit in the rules?

Public programs for children and some health plans write timelines into their rules. None of them makes a private clinic open a slot, but each gives you something specific to ask for in writing.

Ask a plan on the federally facilitated Marketplace whether it counts therapy as specialty care under that standard. If the wait is long because no in-network clinic can see you, the guide to finding a therapist when none is in your network explains what each kind of plan owes; a Medicare Advantage plan, for example, must arrange and cover the care out of network at in-network cost sharing when no network provider is available or adequate.⁠²⁴

Should you get on more than one therapy waitlist?

Usually yes, as long as you tell each clinic where you stand. Several lists let you take whichever suitable opening comes first. Ask each clinic whether its list has rules, such as a deposit, a time limit or a deadline for answering an offer, and take yourself off the other lists as soon as you accept a place, so the next family moves up.

Widen the search. Ask whether the wait is shorter with another therapist, at another location, at a less popular time of day, or by telehealth, and ask hospital outpatient departments and university training clinics as well as private clinics.

How do you get onto a cancellation list and make it work?

Ask for it by name. Ask whether the clinic keeps a short-notice list for canceled appointments, whether it is separate from the main waitlist, and what you need to do to be on it.

• Give your real availability: the days and hours you could come with a few hours’ notice, and how long it takes you to get there.
• Be easy to reach: the number that rings, whether a text is fine, and a second contact if a partner or another family member can also take the call.
• Finish the paperwork first, so you are ready to be seen when a slot comes up: intake forms, the referral and your insurance details.
• Check in on a schedule: ask the clinic how often it prefers to hear from you, and update your contact details and availability when they change.
• Answer offers quickly. If you decline one, say why (the time, the place, the therapist), so the next offer is more likely to fit.

Can a child under 3 get therapy through early intervention?

Yes, if the child is eligible, and you can start the process yourself. Early intervention is the program under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for children under 3 who have a developmental delay, or a diagnosed condition with a high probability of causing one.⁠¹⁶ Parents are named among the referral sources, and the CDC says a doctor’s referral is not necessary.⁠^25,1

Call while you wait for the doctor. The CDC advises calling your state’s early intervention program to request a free evaluation at the same time as you ask the doctor for a referral, without waiting for that referral or a diagnosis.⁠² A place on a private clinic’s list and an early intervention referral can run side by side.

The 45-day clock. Any screening your state uses, the evaluation, the assessments of the child and family, and the first meeting to write the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) must be completed within 45 days of the program receiving the referral; the clock pauses when the family is unavailable for documented exceptional reasons, or has not given consent despite repeated requests.⁠³ Each service in the plan must start as soon as possible after you consent to it, and the plan is reviewed at least every six months.⁠¹⁷

What it covers and costs. Early intervention services include occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology, as well as family training, counseling and home visits.⁠⁵ Finding and evaluating children, assessment, service coordination and writing the plan carry no fee. The services are free except where the state has a system of family payments, such as a sliding fee scale, and a family that meets the state’s definition of inability to pay gets all Part C services at no cost.⁠^4,5

Turning 3. For a child moving from early intervention to preschool special education, the state must have an IEP, or where allowed an IFSP, in place by the third birthday.⁠²⁶ The comparison of early intervention and private therapy covers how families use both.

How do you ask the school to evaluate a child aged 3 or older?

Ask, preferably in writing, and the clock starts when you consent. Under IDEA Part B, a parent can request an initial evaluation to find out whether a child has a disability and needs special education.⁠⁶ For a child aged 3 or older, the CDC suggests calling any local public elementary school, even one your child does not attend, and asking for an evaluation for preschool special education services.⁠² For a school-aged child, parents can call, email or write to the teacher, the principal or the district’s director of special education.⁠²⁰

Timelines. The school must get your informed consent before it evaluates, and the evaluation must be done within 60 days of that consent or within the state’s own timeframe.⁠^27,6 If the child qualifies, the meeting to write the Individualized Education Program (IEP) must be held within 30 days, and services start as soon as possible after the IEP is written.⁠¹⁹ If the school agrees an evaluation is needed, it evaluates at no cost to parents, and if it refuses to evaluate, it must tell you in writing.⁠²⁰

What school therapy is for. Speech-language pathology, physical therapy and occupational therapy are related services under IDEA, provided when they are required to help a child with a disability benefit from special education.⁠²⁸ Their purpose is educational, so keep your place on clinic lists while the school decides.

Children in private schools count. The state must identify, locate and evaluate children with disabilities who need special education, including children attending private schools and children who are homeless.⁠¹⁸ For help with the process, nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers across the US and its territories work with families of children and youth with disabilities from birth to 26.⁠²⁹

What does Medicaid owe a child who is waiting for therapy?

EPSDT, Medicaid’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefit, covers children under 21 enrolled in Medicaid. States must provide any service Medicaid can cover that is medically necessary to treat, correct or reduce an illness or condition, and necessary referrals should be made without delay.⁠⁷

Timeliness and help with scheduling. The state must set standards for providing EPSDT services on time, with processes to start treatment generally within an outer limit of 6 months after the request for screening.⁠⁸ It must also tell families that transportation and scheduling help is available on request, so ask the state Medicaid agency or your child’s plan to help find an opening.⁠⁸

When the plan’s clinics are full. If your child’s Medicaid managed care plan has no clinic that can provide a covered service, the plan must cover it out of network, adequately and timely, at no greater cost to you than in network.⁠³⁰ The guide to insurance and therapy for children covers the rest of the coverage questions.

Can an adult see a therapist without a doctor’s referral?

For physical therapy, state law allows it everywhere in some form. As of July 1, 2025, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands have provisional or unrestricted direct access to physical therapists for evaluation and treatment, though some states still attach conditions to treatment without a referral.⁠⁹ Ask the clinic what your state allows before you book.

Your coverage may still want paperwork. In many HMOs you need a referral before you see anyone but your primary care doctor, and without one the plan may not pay.⁠¹⁰ Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology when your doctor or another provider, such as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant, certifies that you need it.⁠^11,31,32 A Medicare Advantage plan may require a referral to see a specialist and approval before it covers some services.⁠³³

So a clinic that can see you sooner without a referral is worth asking about, but confirm in writing what your plan needs before the first visit. The guide to Medicare coverage for therapy covers Part B and Medicare Advantage in detail, and Start Here for adults helps match a problem to the right therapist.

Can telehealth therapy start sooner?

Sometimes, and it is worth asking every clinic. Through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers telehealth services you get from anywhere in the U.S., including your home, and lists speech therapy among them; for most telehealth services you pay the same as you would in person.⁠³⁴ CMS’s therapy page reflects a 2026 law that extended the ability of physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists to provide telehealth through the same date.⁠³⁵

Federal Medicaid rules leave most telehealth choices to each state, so ask your state agency or your plan what it covers.⁠³⁶ A private plan sets its own terms, so ask it too.

Licensing follows where you are. Ask whether the therapist is licensed in the state where you are during the visit. The Physical Therapy Compact lets a physical therapist work in participating states with a compact privilege instead of a new license, while the occupational therapy and the audiology and speech-language pathology compacts open to applicants state by state.⁠^37,38,39

Finding telehealth. APTA’s Find a PT can filter for physical therapists offering telehealth visits or home visits,⁠⁴⁰ and the DrSensory directory has a telehealth filter. Ask the clinic which parts of the work suit video and which need hands-on care; the guide to teletherapy for children covers what a session looks like.

Can therapy come to your home while you wait?

For a homebound adult on Medicare, it can. Medicare covers part-time or intermittent home health services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology when you meet certain conditions. You must be homebound, meaning leaving home is not recommended or takes help, and is normally a lot of effort; a doctor or other provider, such as a nurse practitioner, must see you in person and order the care, and a Medicare-certified home health agency must provide it. You pay nothing for covered services, though other costs may apply.⁠⁴¹

Occupational therapy at home must first be ordered along with nursing, physical therapy or speech-language pathology, and can then continue on its own.⁠⁴¹ If the wait follows a hospital stay, the guide to therapy after hospital discharge covers home health and outpatient options.

For a child under 3, early intervention services can include family training, counseling and home visits.⁠⁵ For anyone, APTA’s Find a PT can filter for physical therapists who offer home visits.⁠⁴⁰

What can you do at home while you wait for therapy?

Everyday activities help, but they are not a substitute for therapy. In an Australian trial of 110 children aged 3 to 6 on speech-language pathology waiting lists, 12 sessions of therapy produced better speech than face-to-face advice or a website, though intelligibility, language, early literacy and caregivers’ sense of empowerment did not differ between the groups.⁠⁴² In a smaller Australian trial of 42 preschool children, a website for families did not change outcomes, and children with and without it made minimal gains over 6 months.⁠⁴³

In a UK community service where children waited an average of 12 months for therapy, 54% improved on their own, but 83% were still judged to need therapy at reassessment.⁠⁴⁴ Keep your place on the list.

How can you help a young child’s speech and language at home?

• Talk about what you are doing during baths, meals and dressing, and when your baby makes sounds, look at them and talk back.⁠⁴⁵
• Read together and talk about the pictures; you don’t have to read every word.⁠⁴⁵
• Repeat what your child says and add to it: if they say “Want juice,” you can say “Want juice? I have apple juice.”⁠⁴⁵
• Offer choices, such as “Do you want an apple or an orange?”⁠⁴⁵
• Sing simple songs and nursery rhymes, and play listening games like “Simon Says.”⁠⁴⁵
• Put distractions away when your child talks to you, and pause after you speak so they have a chance to answer.⁠⁴⁵

If you are worried about your child’s hearing, ask about an audiologist; with speech or language concerns, don’t wait to talk to a speech-language pathologist.⁠⁴⁵

How can family help an adult with aphasia communicate?

• Get the person’s attention before you start, slow down, keep sentences short and repeat key words.⁠¹³
• Use pictures, gestures, writing and facial expressions as well as words.⁠¹³
• Ask yes-or-no questions, or offer choices instead of open questions.⁠¹³
• Give extra time to find words, and try not to finish the person’s sentences.⁠¹³
• Turn off the TV or radio during conversations.⁠¹³

What is safe to start for balance and falls?

For an older adult waiting for physical therapy for balance, the CDC’s fall-prevention steps are a reasonable start: ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines for any that cause dizziness or sleepiness, do exercises that strengthen the legs and improve balance, such as Tai Chi, and have your eyes checked at least once a year.⁠⁴⁶ Fear of falling can make a person cut back on activity, and being less active makes them weaker and more likely to fall.⁠⁴⁷ For a new injury, after surgery, or with pain that is getting worse, follow your doctor’s instructions rather than starting exercises on your own. The guide to falls and balance in older adults goes further.

What should you write down before the first visit?

• What is hard, when it happens, and what helps, in a few lines a week
• Short videos of the problem at home, if the person is comfortable being filmed
• A list of medicines, past evaluations and diagnoses
• Two or three goals in everyday words, such as “order at a restaurant” or “climb the stairs at school”

Which changes should not wait for the first therapy visit?

If things get worse while you wait, call the clinician who referred you, say what has changed, and ask whether the referral should be marked urgent or sent somewhere sooner. Joining a waitlist does not mean the clinic has assessed you, so changes in your health go to your doctor.

What insurance and referral paperwork can you finish now?

Finish it now, so you can say yes when a cancellation comes up.

Ask for past evaluations, therapy notes and reports to go to each clinic on your list. If your plan refuses to cover therapy, the guide to appealing a therapy denial has the deadlines, and the guide to adult therapy without insurance covers paying yourself.

What should you ask a clinic about its waitlist?

Ask the same questions of every clinic, so you can compare the answers.

For the evaluation itself, the printable questions to ask at your child’s therapy evaluation help you get the most from the first visit.

How can DrSensory’s directory help you find more clinics?

DrSensory’s directory is free for families and lists occupational, physical and speech therapy clinics for children and adults. Search by ZIP code, by the therapy you need, by specialty, including telehealth, and by whether the care is for a child or an adult, then call each clinic with the questions above.

A listing is not a recommendation and not your plan’s network list: check credentials, licensure and insurance with the clinic, and confirm network status with your plan by the clinic’s name and address.

Professional directories help too. ASHA ProFind lists certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists who have said they are accepting referrals, APTA’s Find a PT searches physical therapists by specialty, and Medicare.gov finds providers that take Medicare.⁠^53,54,11

To learn what each discipline does, read the guides to occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. If you are not yet sure which one you need, begin at Start Here for a child or Start Here for adults.

What does a good waiting plan look like for a child and an adult?

Both use the same steps: more than one list, the public routes that apply, the paperwork done, and the warning signs known.

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early Intervention (Learn the Signs. Act Early.). Checked October 31, 2026.
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   “Early intervention is the term used to describe services and supports available to babies and young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.”; “A doctor’s referral is not necessary.”; “These publicly funded programs provide services for free or at reduced cost for any child who is eligible.”.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Concerned About Your Child’s Development? (Learn the Signs. Act Early.). Checked October 31, 2026.
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   “If your child is not meeting the milestones for his or her age, or if you think there could be a problem with the way your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves talk to your child’s doctor and share your concerns. Don’t wait.”; “At the same time as you ask the doctor for a referral to a specialist, call your state’s public early childhood system to request a free evaluation.”; “You do not need to wait for a doctor’s referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call.”; “If your child is age 3 or older, call any local public elementary school (even if your child does not go to school there) and say: ‘I have concerns about my child’s development and I would like to have my child evaluated through the school system for preschool special education services.’”.
3. 34 CFR. §303.310, Post-referral timeline (45 days) (IDEA Part C). Checked October 31, 2026.
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   (a): “any screening under § 303.320 (if the State has adopted a policy and elects, and the parent consents, to conduct a screening of a child); the initial evaluation and the initial assessments of the child and family under § 303.321; and the initial IFSP meeting under § 303.342 must be completed within 45 days from the date the lead agency or EIS provider receives the referral of the child.”; (b)(1): “The child or parent is unavailable to complete the screening (if applicable), the initial evaluation, the initial assessments of the child and family, or the initial IFSP meeting due to exceptional family circumstances”; (b)(2): “The parent has not provided consent for the screening (if applicable), the initial evaluation, or the initial assessment of the child, despite documented, repeated attempts”.
4. 34 CFR. §303.521, System of payments and fees (IDEA Part C). Checked October 31, 2026.
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   (a)(4)(ii): “if the parent or family meets the State’s definition of inability to pay, the infant or toddler with a disability must be provided all part C services at no cost.”; (b): “The following are required functions that must be carried out at public expense, and for which no fees may be charged to parents:”; (b)(1)–(3): “Implementing the child find requirements”; “Evaluation and assessment”; “Service coordination services”; (b)(4)(i): “The development, review, and evaluation of IFSPs and interim IFSPs”.
5. 34 CFR. §303.13, Early intervention services (IDEA Part C). Checked October 31, 2026.
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   (a)(3): “Are provided at no cost, except, subject to §§ 303.520 and 303.521, where Federal or State law provides for a system of payments by families, including a schedule of sliding fees”; (b)(3): “Family training, counseling, and home visits means services provided, as appropriate, by social workers, psychologists, and other qualified personnel to assist the family of an infant or toddler with a disability”; (b)(8): “Occupational therapy includes services to address the functional needs of an infant or toddler with a disability related to adaptive development, adaptive behavior, and play, and sensory, motor, and postural development.”; (b)(9): “Physical therapy includes services to address the promotion of sensorimotor function”; (b)(15): “Speech-language pathology services include—”.
6. 34 CFR. §300.301, Initial evaluations (IDEA Part B). Checked October 31, 2026.
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   (b): “Consistent with the consent requirements in § 300.300, either a parent of a child or a public agency may initiate a request for an initial evaluation to determine if the child is a child with a disability.”; (c)(1): “(i) Must be conducted within 60 days of receiving parental consent for the evaluation; or (ii) If the State establishes a timeframe within which the evaluation must be conducted, within that timeframe”.
7. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicaid.gov). Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (Medicaid benefits). Checked October 31, 2026.
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   “The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit provides comprehensive and preventive health care services for children under age 21 who are enrolled in Medicaid.”; “States are required to provide any additional 1905(a) services that are coverable under the Federal Medicaid program and found to be medically necessary to treat, correct, or reduce illnesses and conditions discovered.”; “Necessary referrals should be made without delay and there should be follow-up to ensure the enrollee receives a complete diagnostic evaluation.”.
8. 42 CFR. §441.56, Required activities (Medicaid EPSDT). Checked October 31, 2026.
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   (a)(2)(iii): “That the services provided under the EPSDT program are without cost to eligible individuals under 18 years of age, and if the agency chooses, to those 18 or older, up to age 21, except for any enrollment fee, premium, or similar charge that may be imposed on medically needy beneficiaries”; (a)(2)(iv): “That necessary transportation and scheduling assistance described in § 441.62 of this subpart is available to the EPSDT eligible individual upon request.”; (e): “the agency must set standards for the timely provision of EPSDT services which meet reasonable standards of medical and dental practice, as determined by the agency after consultation with recognized medical and dental organizations involved in child health care, and must employ processes to ensure timely initiation of treatment, if required, generally within an outer limit of 6 months after the request for screening services.”.
9. American Physical Therapy Association. Direct Access Advocacy. Checked October 31, 2026.
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   “As of July 1, 2025, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have either provisional or unrestricted direct access to physical therapist services for evaluation and treatment.”; “Even though patients may go directly to a physical therapist without a referral, some provisions tied to treatment absent a referral still persist in a number of states”.
10. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (HealthCare.gov). Referral (glossary). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “A written order from your primary care doctor for you to see a specialist or get certain medical services.”; “In many Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), you need to get a referral before you can get medical care from anyone except your primary care doctor. If you don’t get a referral first, the plan may not pay for the services.”.
11. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare.gov). Physical therapy services (Part B coverage page). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps pay for medically necessary outpatient physical therapy, if you’re eligible”; “Your doctor or other health care provider (including a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant) must certify that you need it.”; “Find providers near you that take Medicare.”.
12. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, National Library of Medicine. Stroke (review date April 16, 2025). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “The most important action to take is to call 911 or the local emergency number right away for emergency assistance.”; “FACE. Ask the person to smile. Check if one side of the face droops.”; “ARMS. Ask the person to raise both arms. See if one arm drifts downward.”; “SPEECH. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Check if words are slurred and if the sentence is repeated correctly.”.
13. Communication Health Support Association (ASHA’s consumer affiliate). Aphasia (last reviewed May 1, 2026). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “If your speech or communication changes suddenly, call 911 right away — these changes could be the sign of a medical emergency, like a stroke.”; “Get my attention before you start talking.”; “Slow down when you speak.”; “Keep sentences short. Repeat key words to help me focus on what’s most important.”; “Use more than just words. Pictures, gestures, writing, and facial expressions may help me understand better than words alone.”; “Use ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions when possible.”; “Give me choices instead of asking open-ended questions.”; “Give me extra time. I might need a moment to find the right words.”; “Try not to finish my sentences.”; “Get rid of distractions (such as turning off the TV or the radio).”.
14. Communication Health Support Association (ASHA’s consumer affiliate). Swallowing Disorders in Adults (last reviewed May 1, 2026). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “coughing during or right after eating or drinking”; “having a wet or gurgly voice during or after eating or drinking”; “having a hard time breathing after meals”; “losing weight”; “A swallowing problem might cause you to have these conditions:”; “dehydration or poor nutrition”; “food or liquid going into the airway, called aspiration”; “pneumonia or other lung infections”.
15. McGill N, McLeod S, Crowe K, Wang C, Hopf SC. Waiting lists and prioritization of children for services: Speech-language pathologists’ perspectives (Journal of Communication Disorders, 2021;91:106099; doi:10.1016/j.jcomdis.2021.106099; PMID 33962247; abstract). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “A questionnaire about pediatric waiting lists and prioritization was completed by 267 SLPs from 10 countries working in health, disability, education, and private sectors. Valid responses to closed questions from 264 SLPs were analyzed quantitatively.”; “Most (73.6 %) SLPs reported having a waiting list in their workplace.”; “Waiting times ranged from 0 to 42 months (M = 8.09, SD = 5.84). High priority was assigned to infants (77.4 %), toddlers (65.3 %), children with feeding difficulties (88.5 %), and children who stutter (47.4 %).”.
16. 34 CFR. §303.21, Infant or toddler with a disability (IDEA Part C, infants and toddlers). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    (a): “Infant or toddler with a disability means an individual under three years of age who needs early intervention services because the individual—”; (a)(1): “Is experiencing a developmental delay, as measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures, in one or more of the following areas:”; (a)(2): “Has a diagnosed physical or mental condition that— (i) Has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay”.
17. 34 CFR. §303.342, Procedures for IFSP development, review, and evaluation (IDEA Part C). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    (b)(1): “A review of the IFSP for a child and the child’s family must be conducted every six months, or more frequently if conditions warrant, or if the family requests such a review.”; (e): “Each early intervention service must be provided as soon as possible after the parent provides consent for that service”.
18. 34 CFR. §300.111, Child find (IDEA Part B). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    (a)(1)(i): “All children with disabilities residing in the State, including children with disabilities who are homeless children or are wards of the State, and children with disabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated”.
19. 34 CFR. §300.323, When IEPs must be in effect (IDEA Part B). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    (c)(1): “A meeting to develop an IEP for a child is conducted within 30 days of a determination that the child needs special education and related services”; (c)(2): “As soon as possible following development of the IEP, special education and related services are made available to the child in accordance with the child’s IEP.”.
20. Center for Parent Information and Resources (funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs). Evaluating School-Aged Children for Disability (updated as of April 2022). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “they may call, email, or writeto their child’s teacher, the school’s principal, or the Director of Special Education in the school district. If the school agrees that an evaluation is needed, it must evaluate the child at no cost to parents”; “IDEA requires the school system to notify parents in writing that it would like to evaluate their child (or that it is refusing to evaluate the child).”.
21. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CCIIO. 2025 Letter to Issuers in the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (appointment wait times). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “Beginning January 1, 2025, 45 CFR 156.230(a)(2)(i)(B) requires QHP issuers, including SADP issuers, in the FFEs to meet appointment wait time standards established by the FFEs.”; “enrollees seeking an appointment are able to schedule an appointment within the time frames below at least 90% of the time.”; “Specialty Care (Non-urgent) 30 business days”.
22. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CCIIO. 2026 Final Letter to Issuers in the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (January 15, 2025; appointment wait times). “The approach for appointment wait time standards remains unchanged from 2025 with a technical correction noted in italics below. Please refer to the 2025 Letter to Issuers for more information.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
23. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CCIIO. 2027 Final Letter to Issuers in the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (May 28, 2026; appointment wait times). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “The approach for appointment wait time standards remains unchanged from 2025 for all QHP issuers, including those in any FFE States determined to satisfy the applicable criteria to be considered to have an Effective Provider Access Review Program. Please refer to the 2025 Letter to Issuers for more information.”.
24. 42 CFR. §422.112, Access to services (Medicare Advantage). (a)(1)(iii): “Arrange for and cover any medically necessary covered benefit outside of the plan provider network, but at in-network cost sharing, when an in-network provider or benefit is unavailable or inadequate to meet an enrollee’s medical needs.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
25. 34 CFR. §303.303, Referral procedures (IDEA Part C). (a)(2)(i): “Provide for referring a child as soon as possible, but in no case more than seven days, after the child has been identified”; (c): “Primary referral sources. As used in this subpart, primary referral sources include—”; (c)(3): “Parents, including parents of infants and toddlers”. Checked October 31, 2026.
26. 34 CFR. §300.124, Transition of children from the Part C program to preschool programs (IDEA Part B). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    (b): “By the third birthday of a child described in paragraph (a) of this section, an IEP or, if consistent with § 300.323(b) and section 636(d) of the Act, an IFSP, has been developed and is being implemented for the child”.
27. 34 CFR. §300.300, Parental consent (IDEA Part B). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    (a)(1)(i): “The public agency proposing to conduct an initial evaluation to determine if a child qualifies as a child with a disability under § 300.8 must, after providing notice consistent with §§ 300.503 and 300.504, obtain informed consent, consistent with § 300.9, from the parent of the child before conducting the evaluation.”.
28. 34 CFR. §300.34, Related services (IDEA Part B). (a): “Related services means transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy”. Checked October 31, 2026.
29. Center for Parent Information and Resources. Find Your Parent Center. “There are nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in the US and Territories.”; “Working with families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, birth to 26.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
30. 42 CFR. §438.206, Availability of services (Medicaid managed care). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    (b)(4): “If the provider network is unable to provide necessary services, covered under the contract, to a particular enrollee, the MCO, PIHP, or PAHP must adequately and timely cover these services out of network for the enrollee, for as long as the MCO, PIHP, or PAHP’s provider network is unable to provide them.”; (b)(5): “ensures the cost to the enrollee is no greater than it would be if the services were furnished within the network.”.
31. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare.gov). Occupational therapy services (Part B coverage page). “helps pay for medically necessary outpatient occupational therapy if your doctor or other health care provider certifies you need it”; “Therapy to help you perform activities of daily living (like dressing or bathing).”. Checked October 31, 2026.
32. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare.gov). Speech-language pathology services (Part B coverage page). “covers medically necessary outpatient speech-language pathology services if you’re eligible”; “Your doctor or other health care provider (including a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant) must certify you need this care.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
33. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare.gov). Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “You may need to use doctors and other providers who are in the plan’s network and service area (for non-emergency care).”; “You may need to get a referral to see a specialist.”; “You may need to get approval (prior authorization) from your plan before it covers certain services or supplies.”.
34. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare.gov). Telehealth (Part B coverage page). “Through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers telehealth services that you can get from anywhere in the U.S., including your home.”; “Speech therapy”; “For most telehealth services, you’ll pay the same amount that you would if you got the services in person.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
35. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Therapy Services (page last modified March 10, 2026). “reflect section 6209 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 that extended the ability of PTs, OTs, and SLPs to furnish Telehealth Services, including the telephone assessment and management services (codes 98966 – 98968) through December 31, 2027”. Checked October 31, 2026.
36. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicaid.gov). Telehealth (Medicaid benefits). “For most Medicaid benefits, federal Medicaid law and regulations do not specifically address telehealth delivery methods or the criteria for implementation of telehealth.”; “As a result, states have broad flexibility in designing the parameters of telehealth delivery methods to furnish services.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
37. Physical Therapy Compact Commission. Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. “Work in any of the participating compact states without needing to apply for a new license each time.”; “No need to maintain multiple licenses as compact privileges are linked to your existing home state PT license.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
38. Occupational Therapy Compact Commission. OT Compact (status updated October 2026). “Each OTC state will open applications at their own pace.”; “You can only apply when the state opens applications, deems you eligible to apply, AND your application is approved.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
39. Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Commission. ASLP Compact. “The Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) facilitates the interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology while maintaining public protection.”; “Additional ASLP-IC member states must onboard licensees to CompactConnect and meet the compact requirements to issue compact privileges.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
40. American Physical Therapy Association (ChoosePT). APTA Find a PT (directory search page). “Filter: Show only board-certified specialists”; “Telehealth visits available”; “Home visits available”. Checked October 31, 2026.
41. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare.gov). Home health services (Part A and Part B coverage page). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “You pay nothing for covered services (other costs may apply)”; “Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services (if you meet certain conditions)”; “You must need part-time or intermittent skilled services and you’re ‘homebound,’ which means you must meet both of these conditions:”; “Before you can get home health services, a doctor or health care provider (like a nurse practitioner) must see you in person and confirm you need home health care. They must also order your care, and a Medicare-certified home health agency must provide it.”; “If you need occupational therapy, your doctor or health care provider must first order it along with nursing care, physical therapy, or speech-language pathology. After that you can keep getting occupational therapy on its own”.
42. McLeod S, Davis E, Rohr K, et al. Waiting for speech-language pathology services: A randomised controlled trial comparing therapy, advice and device (International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 2020;22(3):372-386; doi:10.1080/17549507.2020.1731600; PMID 32366124; abstract). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “three- to six-year-old children referred to speech-language pathology waiting lists at two Australian community health centres”; “110 were randomised to advice (33), device (39) or therapy (38).”; “children’s speech (percentage of consonants correct) was significantly higher in the therapy group compared to the advice and device conditions.”; “There were no significant differences between the three conditions for children’s intelligibility, language and early literacy or caregivers’ empowerment.”.
43. McGill N, McLeod S, Ivory N, Davis E, Rohr K. Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating Active versus Passive Waiting for Speech-Language Pathology (Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 2021;73(4):335-354; doi:10.1159/000508830; PMID 32756053; abstract). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “Eligible children (n =42) with speech/language difficulties were randomly allocated to: (a) active waiting (provision of a purpose-built website; n = 20), or (b) passive waiting (control group; n = 22).”; “There were no statistically significant differences between groups for children’s speech, intelligibility, language, and literacy, or caregivers’ empowerment and satisfaction. Children in both groups made minimal gains over 6 months.”.
44. Hesketh E, White P, Simkiss D, Roulstone S. Outcomes from a community speech and language therapy service treatment waiting list: The natural history of 525 children with identified speech and language needs (International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 2023;58(5):1510-1525; doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12877; PMID 37189292; abstract). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “Due to resource constraints, intervention was not available for an average of 12 months.”; “By reassessment, 54% of children showed spontaneous improvement (mean TOM-I rating change = 0.58). However, 83% were still judged to require therapy.”.
45. Communication Health Support Association (ASHA’s consumer affiliate). Tips for Your Child’s Speech and Language Development (last reviewed July 6, 2026). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “Look at your baby when they make sounds. Talk back to them and repeat what they say.”; “Talk about what you are doing. Talk to your baby as you give them a bath, feed them, and get them dressed.”; “Read to your child. You don’t have to read every word but talk about the pictures.”; “Repeat what your child says to show that you understand. Add on to what they say. For example, if your child says, ‘Want juice,’ you can say, ‘Want juice? I have juice. I have apple juice. Do you want apple juice?’”; “Ask questions that include a choice. ‘Do you want an apple or an orange?’”; “Sing simple songs and say nursery rhymes. This helps your child learn the rhythm of speech.”; “Games like ‘Simon Says’ or ‘Red Light, Green Light’ help your child listen, pay attention, and move while following one- and two-step directions.”; “Pay attention when your child talks to you. Turn off or put down any distractions”; “Pause after speaking. This gives your child a chance to respond.”; “Talk to an audiologist if you’re worried about your child’s hearing.”; “If you have questions or concerns, don’t wait—talk to a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.”.
46. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing Falls and Hip Fractures. Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy.”; “Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance. Tai Chi is a good example of this kind of exercise.”; “Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.”.
47. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facts About Older Adult Falls. Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “An older person who falls and hits their head should see their doctor right away to make sure they don’t have a brain injury.”; “These can be very serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines (like blood thinners).”; “This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.”.
48. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, National Library of Medicine. Low back pain - acute (review date June 27, 2026). “Contact your provider right away if you have:”; “Back pain after a severe blow or fall”; “Loss of control over urine or stool (incontinence)”; “Unexplained fever with back pain”; “Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis”. Checked October 31, 2026.
49. Communication Health Support Association (ASHA’s consumer affiliate). Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Children (last reviewed May 1, 2026). “have trouble breathing while eating”; “cough or gag while eating”; “are not gaining weight or growing”; “Talk to your child’s doctor if you think your child has a feeding or swallowing problem.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
50. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (HealthCare.gov). Preauthorization (glossary). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “A decision by your health insurer or plan that a health care service, treatment plan, prescription drug or durable medical equipment is medically necessary.”; “Your health insurance or plan may require preauthorization for certain services before you receive them, except in an emergency. Preauthorization isn’t a promise your health insurance or plan will cover the cost.”.
51. 45 CFR. §164.524, Access of individuals to protected health information (HIPAA Privacy Rule). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    (a)(1): “an individual has a right of access to inspect and obtain a copy of protected health information about the individual in a designated record set”; (b)(2)(i): “the covered entity must act on a request for access no later than 30 days after receipt of the request”; (b)(2)(ii): “the covered entity may extend the time for such actions by no more than 30 days”; (c)(3)(ii): “If an individual’s request for access directs the covered entity to transmit the copy of protected health information directly to another person designated by the individual, the covered entity must provide the copy to the person designated by the individual. The individual’s request must be in writing, signed by the individual, and clearly identify the designated person and where to send the copy”.
52. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. What is a good faith health insurance estimate? (No Surprises Act consumer page). Checked October 31, 2026.
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    “Usually, if you aren’t using health insurance to pay for your care, your health care provider must give you a good faith estimate of expected charges if you request one or schedule services at least 3 business days in advance.”; “You’ll need a good faith estimate if you need to dispute your bill.”.
53. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. ASHA ProFind. “ASHA ProFind is your connection to over 20,000 ASHA-Certified audiologists and speech-language pathologists who have indicated they are accepting referrals.”. Checked October 31, 2026.
54. American Physical Therapy Association (ChoosePT). Physical Therapy Specialty Areas (consumer page). “The American Physical Therapy Association provides Find a PT to help you search for physical therapists with specific experience, expertise, or specialties near you.”. Checked October 31, 2026.

Medical disclaimer. This page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your individual situation.