Advocacy Update: 2021: Challenges and Opportunities

DATE: February 10, 2021, 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm ET

Presenters: Susan Pilch, J.D., Senior Director, Government Relations, American Academy of Audiology, Jodi Baxter, AuD, Chair, AAA Government Relations Committee, Lee Cottrell, AuD, Chair-Elect, AAA Government Relations Committee

Duration: 1 hour

CEUs: 0.1 AAA/Tier 1 CEUs

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Program Focus: Knowledge

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

1. Describe how election results may impact audiology advocacy priorities moving forward.
2. Describe the current state of play with regard to implementation of the OTC Hearing Aid Act
3. 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
4. Describe on-going efforts regarding tele-audiology in a federal and state settings.
5. List the top issues in audiology being discussed in state legislatures

Description:  This webinar will provide audiologists 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., Senior Director, Government Relations, American Academy of Audiology

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.  

Jodi Baxter, (she/her/hers), AuD, Chair, AAA Government Relations Committee

Jodi Baxter is an audiologist and clinical faculty member at The Ohio State University. She has a passion for hearing technology, the rehabilitation process, aging, clinical education, advocacy, and leadership. Jodi enjoys volunteering for the American Academy of Audiology as chair of the Government Relations Committee. In the rare moments that she is not professing her love for audiology she also has an affinity for running, lifting heavy things, coffee and of course her family.

Lee Cottrell, AuD, Chair-Elect, AAA Government Relations Committee

Lee Cottrell, Au.D. is director of audiology at Farragut ENT & Allergy and the Balance and Hearing Institute in Knoxville, TN. Dr. Cottrell completed his Au.D. from the University of Tennessee in 2011. He has been a member of the American Academy of Audiology since 2016, and he is the current chair-elect of the Government Relations Committee for AAA. Dr. Cottrell's professional interests include adult diagnostics and amplification, management, business development, and physician relations and education. Dr. Cottrell is a current adjunct faculty member at Lincoln Memorial University's DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine and a clinical preceptor the University of Tennessee's Au.D. program. Dr. Cottrell is married with four beautiful children, and his favorite activity is reading adventure stories with the kids.