A face-to-face assessment by a speech-language pathologist to determine which speech-generating communication device suits a person who cannot make themselves understood by speaking. The therapist tests how the person can operate a device, whether by touch, eye gaze, or a switch, and what vocabulary and screen layout will work, then recommends a specific device and settings. It covers the first hour spent working with the patient.
Rates data updated October 2026.
How much does Assessment for a Speech-Generating Device cost?
$145
Typical negotiated rate. In Arkansas, October 2026.
Insurers have agreed to pay about $145 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $145 from a physician practice, and about $155 from a hospital or other facility.
These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.
Prices by location type
Billed by
Who charges it
Typical
Range
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider
A doctor's office, clinic or independent provider
$145
$132 to $145
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department
A hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department
$155
$123 to $162
How much rates vary
Facilitymedian $155 · 10th to 90th $123 to $162Professionalmedian $145 · 10th to 90th $132 to $162
Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.
Rates by insurance carrier
Insurance Carrier
Facility/Professional
Modifier
Typical LowTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
MedianTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Typical HighTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$162.18
Facility
None
$154.88
$162.18
$162.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$162.18
Professional
None
$158.49
$162.18
$162.18
BCBS Arkansas
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$144.54
Professional
None
$131.83
$131.83
$144.54
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$181.97
Facility
None
$181.97
$181.97
$181.97
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$223.87
Professional
None
$93.33
$173.78
$223.87
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$123.03
Facility
None
$109.65
$123.03
$123.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$213.80
Professional
None
$104.71
$125.89
$213.80
4 more rates with less common billing modifiers
A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.
Insurance Carrier
Facility/Professional
Modifier
Typical LowTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
MedianTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Typical HighTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$81.28
Professional
52 · Reduced service
$81.28
$81.28
$81.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$32.36
Professional
53 · Discontinued
$32.36
$32.36
$32.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$24.55
Professional
55 · Aftercare only
$24.55
$24.55
$24.55
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$16.22
Median
$16.22
Typical High
$16.22
Professional
56 · Pre-op care only
$16.22
$16.22
$16.22
Where Arkansas sits
The same service costs 2.8 times more in Alaska than in Indiana. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.