Starting Jan. 1, 2027, a single billing code that speech-language pathologists have relied on for decades will give way to ten new speech-language pathology treatment codes under the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the schedule on Nov. 4, 2026, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association responded the following day, outlining both the opportunities and the concerns the shift creates for clinicians.
What the New Codes Change
The replacement of the long-standing code is intended to give payers a clearer of what treatment was delivered to patients with speech and language disorders. Rather than one broad billing category, the new structure separates services by the type of treatment and by how long the clinician spends providing it. That means speech-language pathologists will need to track service time carefully and match it to the correct code.
Medicare payment amounts will differ depending on which treatment is provided and its duration. The codes are also included on the Medicare Telehealth Services List, a placement ASHA had pushed for as a way to help maintain remote access to care.
ASHA's Role in Building the Codes
ASHA was deeply involved in creating and valuing the codes. The association took part in the American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology code development and valuation work, organized national surveys of clinicians in practice, and supplied clinical evidence and recommendations on behalf of the profession. Practicing speech-language pathologists, clinical experts, and ASHA member volunteers also contributed to the effort to make sure the services were represented accurately and valued appropriately.
Leadership Acknowledges Concerns
ASHA 2026 President Linda I. Rosa-Lugo, EdD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, said the association will keep working with Medicare, state Medicaid programs, commercial insurers, state associations, and members to support implementation, answer questions, and spot barriers that could affect coverage, payment, or access to services.
Rosa-Lugo also acknowledged that the new coding structure represents a major change in how speech-language pathologists report their work and that some ASHA members have raised concerns about payment and the practical difficulty of putting the codes into practice. At the same time, she said the codes offer a chance to capture more fully the range of services speech-language pathologists provide and the time required to meet each patient’s needs. That added specificity, she said, can make clinicians’ work more visible to payers and support continued advocacy for appropriate coverage and payment.
Implementation Resources
ASHA has published information about the new codes, Medicare payment policies, and implementation resources on its website. The association said it will continue to address questions as they arise and to identify any barriers that could affect coverage, payment, or access to services.