How to Pay for Speech Therapy Without Insurance in Tennessee
Paying for speech therapy without insurance can feel overwhelming, but Tennessee families may have more options than they realize. Depending on your child’s age and needs, programs such as Tennessee’s Individualized Education Account (IEA), Katie Beckett, early intervention services, or private-pay options may help cover the cost of speech and language therapy.
At Joyful Sounds Therapy, we want families to understand the resources available to them so they can make the best decision for their child. Below are several options Tennessee families can explore when insurance does not cover speech therapy.
1. Tennessee Individualized Education Account (IEA)
For a child to qualify for Tennessee’s Individualized Education Account (IEA), there are a few major requirements. According to the Tennessee Department of Education, the student must:
Live in Tennessee and be in grades K–12 while participating.
Have an active Tennessee IEP through a public school district (or qualify through the TEIS Extended Option).
Have at least one of the program's qualifying disabilities listed as a primary or secondary disability: autism, deafness, deaf-blindness, developmental delay, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, specific learning disability, traumatic brain injury, or visual impairment.
Generally, have attended a Tennessee public school for the entire previous school year. There are exceptions for children entering kindergarten for the first time, families who recently moved to Tennessee, and students already participating in IEA.
Tennessee’s Individualized Education Account (IEA) Program provides eligible families of students with disabilities access to state education funds that can be used for certain approved educational expenses. Families may use IEA funds for services such as qualifying speech-language therapy, educational materials, curriculum, and certain assistive technology or communication devices. This can provide another way for eligible families to pay for speech and communication services or resources without using private insurance. Some expenses and providers require pre-approval through the Tennessee Department of Education before services are provided.
To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, visit the Individualized Education Account Program.
You can also read the most recent handbook for an in-depth explanation of benefits and qualifications.
Can IEA funds be used for speech therapy?
Yes. Educational therapy is an approved use of IEA funds when the program’s requirements are met. Speech-language pathologists are among the providers who may qualify to provide educational therapy. The provider and services must meet IEA requirements, and pre-approval is required.
Can IEA help pay for an AAC device?
Potentially. IEA funds may be used for approved technology needed for a student’s communication or access to instruction. Technological devices require pre-approval before purchase.
2. Katie Beckett Program
Katie Beckett may help families of children with disabilities or complex medical needs pay for services that aren't fully covered by private insurance. Depending on eligibility and which part of the program your child qualifies for, benefits may help cover speech therapy and other healthcare expenses. Unlike traditional Medicaid eligibility, the program is specifically designed to help some families whose income or assets would otherwise prevent their child from qualifying for Medicaid.
Learn about Tennessee’s Katie Beckett Progam.
Can Katie Beckett help pay for speech therapy?
Depending on your child’s eligibility and benefits, yes. Speech-language therapy may be an eligible service or expense through the Katie Beckett Program.
3. Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS)
If your child is very young, you may also qualify for free early intervention services through Tennessee. The Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) provides services to eligible young children with developmental delays or disabilities at no cost to families. Services can include speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
Learn about Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS)
Does my child need a diagnosis to be referred to TEIS?
Not necessarily. Anyone can refer a child to TEIS if there is a concern about their development. TEIS will then determine whether the child meets its eligibility requirements.
TEIS is a separate program from private speech therapy at Joyful Sounds, but it can be an excellent resource for families with young children. Families may choose to explore both public and private options as they determine what best meets their child’s needs.
4. Private Pay
You don't need insurance to begin speech therapy. Families can choose to pay directly for evaluations and therapy sessions. Private pay can also give families more flexibility in choosing their speech-language pathologist and determining the frequency and goals of therapy without being limited by an insurance company's network or coverage decisions.
Joyful Sounds Therapy does not bill insurance directly, but we can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend contacting your insurance provider to ask about your out-of-network speech-language therapy benefits.
Every family's situation is different. If you're considering private speech therapy for your child, contact Joyful Sounds Therapy to learn more about our services and fees.
Which Option Is Right for My Family?
There isn’t one payment option that works for every family. Your child’s age, diagnosis, educational placement, insurance coverage, and individual needs can all affect which resources are available.
If insurance does not cover the speech services your child needs, consider exploring IEA, Katie Beckett, TEIS, out-of-network reimbursement, and private pay rather than assuming private speech therapy is out of reach.
Have Questions About Getting Started?
Finding the right services for your child can come with a lot of questions. At Joyful Sounds Therapy, we’re happy to answer questions about our evaluation and therapy services, fees, superbills, and the payment options we accept.
Ready to learn more? Contact Joyful Sounds Therapy to request an appointment or ask a question.
*Program eligibility, benefits, and requirements can change. Joyful Sounds Therapy does not determine eligibility for IEA, Katie Beckett, TEIS, insurance reimbursement, or tax-advantaged accounts. Families should verify current requirements with the appropriate program or plan administrator.