Exploring Funding for APD Testing and Support Services

Understanding your options…

If you're considering an auditory processing disorder (APD) evaluation for your child, it’s normal to feel unsure about what to expect—not just during testing, but also when it comes to funding and follow-up care. Many families worry they’ll be on their own financially. While coverage is not guaranteed, there are several real pathways that can make both the testing and recommended interventions more affordable and accessible.

Paying for APD Testing

Because I am a licensed audiologist, families are typically able to use Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds to pay for APD testing directly.

I will provide detailed receipts and documentation as needed.

Many private insurance plans also reimburse for diagnostic audiology services, including APD testing, especially if your plan includes out-of-network coverage.

I do not bill insurance directly, but I provide a superbill that includes:

• Procedure codes
• My license and NPI information
• All necessary documentation for submitting a claim

What If Results Are Normal?

• If your child’s results are completely within normal limits and you do not need a written report, there is no charge for the evaluation.

• I only charge if:
• A diagnosis is made
• You request formal documentation

This approach allows families to explore whether APD is present without financial risk. Even if no diagnosis is found, knowing what’s not the issue can be just as helpful for families trying to figure out next steps.

Why My Approach Is Different

• I am the only audiologist currently offering no-cost testing when results are normal and no report is needed.

• My testing includes components that most evaluations do not:
• Listening effort measurements
• Fatigue-based retesting

These give a clearer picture of what’s happening during real-world listening tasks when many children tend to break down.

What a Diagnosis Can Help Unlock

If your child is diagnosed with APD, the written report and treatment plan may help you:

• Use HSA or FSA to fund follow-up services
• Secure a Letter of Medical Necessity from your pediatrician
• Request accommodations or support from your school district
• Document the need for therapy, tutoring, or hearing-related intervention from other providers

Auditory Training

Who provides it
• Audiologists
• Speech-language pathologists (SLPs)
• Deaf educators

What it includes
• Dichotic listening therapy
• Temporal processing
• Filtered speech or spatial listening
• Auditory memory and sequencing
• Programs like Acoustic Pioneer, LiSN & Learn, Fast ForWord

Coverage
• HSA or FSA: Often reimbursed with a Letter of Medical Necessity
• Insurance: Sometimes covered if delivered by a licensed provider

Literacy and Dyslexia Intervention

Who provides it
• Educational therapists
• Dyslexia specialists
• Structured literacy providers

What it includes
• Phonological awareness
• Decoding and spelling
• Written expression
• Reading fluency and comprehension
• Executive function support for language-based tasks

Coverage
• HSA or FSA: Sometimes eligible with APD diagnosis and physician support
• Insurance: Rarely covered, as this is usually classified as educational

Speechreading and Cued Speech

Who provides it
• Cued Speech instructors
• Deaf educators
• SLPs or audiologists trained in visual phoneme systems

What it includes
• Lipreading training
• Cued Speech instruction to clarify spoken sounds
• Visual reinforcement of speech and phoneme awareness

Coverage
• HSA or FSA: May be reimbursed with a documented diagnosis and treatment plan
• Insurance: Rarely covered unless integrated into speech or language therapy

Low-Gain Hearing Aids and FM Systems

Some children with APD benefit from low-gain hearing aids that provide subtle amplification and clarity adjustments even in children with normal hearing.

I offer short-term trials to explore benefit in areas such as:

• Speech clarity
• Articulation
• Phonological awareness
• Reading fluency
• Listening stamina
• Emotional regulation
• Attention and focus

FM Systems Available by Request

• FM systems can be included in the trial with a refundable security deposit
• I also offer FM systems for purchase
• They can be used with or without hearing aids

With LGHAs, I can customize FM settings, including:

• Volume balance
• Routing between microphone and environment
• Clarity adjustments based on child comfort

Plug-and-play FM systems like Phonak Roger Focus, Redcat, or DigiMaster:

• Cannot be fine-tuned
• Are often too harsh or loud for sensitive listeners
• May not meet the needs of children with subtle or complex profiles

What About School-Provided Devices?

• Schools rarely provide low-gain hearing aids
• FM systems may be offered under a 504 Plan or IEP
• When provided, they are often restricted to classroom use only
• They usually cannot be taken home or used during extracurriculars

When families own the system, their child benefits from:

• Consistent access across all environments
• More control over volume and comfort
• Better integration with home, therapy, and learning

Who Notices the Benefit

Feedback is often provided by:

• Speech-language pathologists
• Special education teachers
• Educational therapists
• Social workers or school psychologists
• General education teachers
• Parents and caregivers

Better documentation from your child’s team helps demonstrate functional improvement to physicians, school staff, and insurers who may require proof of benefit before approving services or coverage.

What I Provide

After the trial, I provide a summary to support:

• HSA or FSA reimbursement
• Requests for permanent fitting through insurance
• School accommodation planning
• Physician and therapist communication

What I Provide for Reimbursement

• A formal diagnostic report with ICD-10 code
• A treatment plan describing follow-up recommendations
• A superbill for insurance, HSA, or FSA
• Sample language for a pediatrician’s Letter of Medical Necessity

Other Funding Options

Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)

• Available in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Utah, and other states
• Can fund auditory training, literacy support, hearing tools, and private intervention
• My documentation can support ESA applications and renewals

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

For teens and older students, VR programs may help with:

• Assistive listening technology
• Language and communication therapy
• Transition planning and academic support

Public School Services (504 Plan or IEP)

A formal APD diagnosis may lead to:

• FM system access
• Preferential seating
• Extra time for assignments
• Speech and reading intervention

I can help you prepare documentation for meetings and reevaluations.

Final Thoughts

It’s always helpful when funding or reimbursement is available. But even when it’s not, the value of an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan cannot be overstated.

When a child is struggling to process language or understand speech clearly, it can lead to years of academic frustration, behavior challenges, and self-esteem loss. Identifying what’s happening early on can prevent unnecessary labels and unlock targeted support before problems grow.