Coverage of Smart Phones at Issue for Medicare, Insurers
Medicare and private insurers cover computers that help speech-impaired people communicate, but so far the payers have declined to cover smart phones and small laptops that cost less and are easier for patients to use. A CMS spokesperson said Medicare doesn't cover the newer devices because they can be used for nonmedical purposes.
- "Insurers Fight Speech-Impairment Remedy" (Vance, New York Times, 9/15).