2020 Advocacy Update - The Year Ahead

January 15, 2020, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET

Presenter: Susan Pilch, J.D., Senior Director, Government Relations, AAA

CEUs: 0.1 CEUs

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Program Focus: Knowledge

Learner Outcomes: Upon completion, each participant in the eAudiology Web Seminar will be able to:

1. Describe the current state of play with regard to implementation of the OTC Hearing Aid Act
2. Summarize the status of the joint audiology bill (AAA, ASHA and ADA) as well as the other on-going efforts to include hearing aids and audiology services in Medicare
3. List the top issues in audiology being discussed in state legislatures

Description: This webinar will provide members with a comprehensive overview of the legislative and regulatory issues facing the profession of audiology at both the federal and state level.  Some of the topics that will be covered include Medicare, the status of OTC hearing aids, and telehealth as well as the audiology and speech-language pathology interstate compact and efforts to expand the number of states that require insurance coverage of children's hearing aids.

Susan Pilch, J.D.

Susan currently serves as the Senior Director of Government Relations for the American Academy of Audiology and oversees federal and state legislative and regulatory efforts.  Over the course of her career, Susan has represented numerous participants in the healthcare system—both at the state and federal level including speech-language pathologists/audiologists, pharmaceutical wholesalers, community pharmacies and hospitals.  As a result of this experience, she has significant experience on a wide range of issues including state licensure, reimbursement, contractual and policy-related insurance coverage issues, Medicare and Medicaid and patient access to services and care.  In addition, Susan has worked extensively with public and commercial payers as well as with patient advocacy groups and industry partners.