The Value of Self-Pay Services for Speech-Language Therapy

As a provider that offers self-pay services, I can focus on individualized care rather than focusing on volume. My practice is rooted in providing high-quality, individualized care for every child. I believe in being honest and intentional—if I determine that I am not the best fit for a family, I make it a priority to help guide them toward a provider who can serve their child well. Supporting families extends beyond therapy sessions, and community collaboration plays a meaningful role in my work. Another reason why I value self-pay is the flexibility I have to avoid the pressure to keep or discharge clients for billing reasons as well as avoid forced productivity quotas. This allows me to practice as a clinician— not as a billing provider. I want to create a model to provide services without restrictions that interfere with progress. Many families use private pay temporarily, combine self-pay with school-based services, or choose it as an early intervention initially.

I do offer superbills, if this is available to the family. A superbill is a detailed receipt provided by a healthcare provider that allows families to request reimbursement from their insurance company for services they paid for out of pocket. The family is responsible for submitting the superbill directly to their insurance company as an out-of-network claim. This is a good way for me to support families who are seeking partial reimbursement.

Insurance can be an essential resource for many families, helping make therapy more accessible and affordable—especially when long-term or complex care is needed. I fully understand that private pay is not feasible for every family, and insurance-based services may be the best fit for some. Every family’s situation is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to accessing speech therapy.

I hope this provides a little bit of transparency in my approach and model of care and what Wholesome Tyke is about.

If you’re still reading this, thanks for being here. Please reach out if interested in connecting with services or just to say hi!

—Megie

Wholesome Tyke