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Committee reviews bill to codify end of CCC requirement for Medicaid payments to speech-language pathologists
Summary
Representative Fox testified before the House Rules Committee in support of House Bill 4484, saying the bill would codify a recent MDHHS rule change that no longer requires speech-language pathologists to maintain the American Speech‑Language‑Hearing Association’s certificate of clinical competence to be paid by Medicaid.
Representative Fox testified before the House Rules Committee in support of House Bill 4484, saying the bill would codify a recent Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) rule change that no longer requires speech-language pathologists to maintain the American Speech‑Language‑Hearing Association’s certificate of clinical competence (CCC) to be paid by Medicaid.
‘‘This certificate, best known as the CCC, is purely accessory to the state-regulated license that all speech-language pathologists must obtain to practice in Michigan,’’ Representative Fox said. She told the committee that the CCC costs about $250 annually and that for a career practitioner the recurring charge could amount to roughly $7,500 over 30 years. Fox said the MDHHS rule change removed the Medicaid-payment barrier but lawmakers should codify the change into statute.
Representative Martin asked whether the certification is required to accept Medicaid reimbursement; Fox explained MDHHS previously required it but had changed its rules. Committee members emphasized that codifying the department’s current practice would prevent the department from reversing course by rule alone. Representative Martin and others asked for assurances the change would not harm public-sector access to services; Fox and supporters said it would not.
The Michigan Hospital Association (Adam Carlson) and written submitters including Dr. Jeanette Benigas and FixSLP filed support for the bill. Representative Fox said the bill allows speech-language pathologists to keep a CCC if they wish, but would remove it as a condition for Medicaid payments.
No committee vote was recorded during the hearing; Representative Fox said she was available to answer additional questions as the bill moves forward.
