May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. Approximately 46 million Americans experience some form of communication disorder, which can negatively affect their physical and mental health. Early diagnosis, identification, and treatment can help improve health outcomes, mental health, and quality of life. It may also slow progression of medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or Parkinson’s diseases.

Speech therapy benefits

Speech therapy can support a variety of conditions, including:

• Alzheimer’s and dementia
• Articulation disorders
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Cognitive communication disorders
• Hearing loss
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke and aphasia rehabilitation
• Stuttering
• Transgender voice affirmation
• Traumatic brain injury
• Voice disorders
• Emerging post-COVID-19 speech and cognitive impairment symptoms

Great Speech virtual therapy

Great Speech, a Cigna Healthcare^℠ national ancillary provider, has a network of licensed virtual speech language pathologists who can work with your eligible patients from their homes to address and overcome speech and communication difficulties.

Speech therapists in the Great Speech network:

• Are specialized and matched with patients to treat specific conditions.
• Have flexible hours and are available evenings and weekends from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in all time zones.
• Enable individuals to address their particular communication challenges.
• Help patients reach their goals in a shorter time frame.

Scheduling virtual speech language therapy

If you have patients who may benefit from speech therapy, we encourage you to educate them about the benefits of working with a participating virtual speech language pathologist, including Great Speech. Their services are considered in network for many Cigna Healthcare commercial and Medicare Advantage plans.** 

Patients can also learn about other options for in-network speech therapy services by searching myCigna.com.

Eligible customers can schedule sessions with a speech therapist via:

• Web: GreatSpeech.com
• Telephone: 954.820.7400 or 833.5SPEECH (577.3324)
• Email: info@GreatSpeech.com

*Retrieved from 2017-2021 NIDCD Strategic Plan | NIDCD (nih.gov).

**Great Speech services are not currently available in the U.S. territories, or in the following states: Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming (commercial customers); Mississippi (individual Cigna Medicare Advantage customers); and Hawaii, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming (nationwide Cigna Medicare Advantage Employer Group Waiver Plan Preferred Provider Organizations).

For more information visit Great Speech.