5 Steps To Getting An Ipad Covered By Insurance*****
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As a parent of a child with special needs, I understand firsthand the
financial struggles that come with the job. When I discovered the iPad and
the benefits it could have for my son, it became my mission to find a way
to provide one for him. This is a simplified version of the steps I took in
getting my iPad covered by insurance, and it is my hope that others can
benefit from this information.

1. Check your medical benefits for your “Durable Medical Coverage.”(Mine
covered 50%, but since we had already met our out-of-pocket max, they
covered at 100%)

2. Phone your insurance company and ask, “Please assign me to a case
manager that is experienced with special needs children.”

3. After you are provided a case manager, explain that you need the iPad as
an augmentative communication device INCLUDING the Proloquo2go App (or
TouchChat, OneVoice, TapToTalk, etc.) Provide comparison costs to a more
expensive system such as the Dynavox, and remind them that you are opting
for a more cost-effective device. Focus on Proloquo2go (or your chosen Aug
Comm app) and that it is being introduced by Speech Therapists and OT’s in
public schools for special needs kids, as well as in private therapy… say
nothing negative at all. If they have never heard of the Proloquo2go
program, ask for their email address to send them a link and/or encourage
them to visit the proloquo2go website. You could also provide links to the
Youtube demonstrations provided by proloquo2go (or app demos provided on
a4cwsn.com). Be sure to ask the case manager for all the necessary approval
codes and coverage information so you are aware and comfortable with any
out-of-pocket expenses you may incur. They may tell you “NO” at this point.
If they do, ask them to email or fax you a letter of denial immediately.
Local Developmental Disability Divisions/Boards and many private funding
organizations will require a medical insurance denial to apply for funds,
so getting this letter can be very helpful. Don’t get discouraged, there
are still more ways to get funding!

4. Find supporting documentation and case studies to include with your
claim. Google articles on “iPads for children with special needs” or
“benefits for children with [your child’s specific condition] and iPads,”
etc.

5. Copy your most recent speech evaluation and IEP if it indicates anything
helpful. And, have every doctor, therapist, school personnel or anyone else
write a letter supporting your child’s need for an “Augmentative
Communication device such as the iPad with Proloquo2go.”

The more information you can provide, the less likely they will argue
against the need. My personal insurance required that I pay for the device
and then submit a claim form for reimbursement.

When submitting your Claim for Reimbursement:

1) What you purchased,

2) What is was for

3) How it should be coded and

4) That it should be treated as an IN NETWORK provider.

Include the notes (Name and Dates/Time of phone calls) from your
conversation with your case manager.

Supporting Documents from Google, etc.

Letters from Doctors, Speech Therapists, etc.

Receipt of the Device and the AugCom App****

http://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-apps

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/...

Funding for iPads
Looking for an iPad? The Autism Society can help! Courtesy of the Autism Society’s contact center, Autism Source, they have put together a list of organizations that offer grants and other assistance for individuals with autism who would like to purchase an iPad.
www.autism-society.org
In addition, Special Needs Apps for Kids has also put together a list of iPad funding opportunities.
SNApps4Kids.com

Also, check out itaalk.org for tips on getting your insurance to pay for the iPad!

We just got my 4 year-old son an iPad by sending out a letter to all of our extended family asking for donations. His favorite app is the Child Development Suite by Injini. It's $29.99 for the full version but they also have an excellent free version (best free app I've seen). It teaches memory, patterns, shapes, letters and letter sounds, problem solving, tracing, etc. and it's very attractive and well done. Good luck!

My 5yr old has used 'story maker' with his speech therapist. It's a wonderful app! It allows kids or parents to create an animated story with a great ability to customize the characters, setting, music, and storyline. My favorite feature is option to set different levels of emotion (ie: sorta happy, happy, really happy.) I tried to apply for a couple grants for an iPad, but have not had any success. If you are a client of your local regional center, you can contact your case worker. They might have information on where to apply both in your area and nationally.