Talking to Your Employer About Adding Speech, Language, and Hearing Benefits

Step 1: Review Your Current Health Plan

Read your current employee benefits:

• Are speech, language, or hearing services included in your plan?
• If yes, is the coverage limited or missing important services?
• What would better coverage look like for you or your family?

Step 2: Collect Helpful Information

Review the Employer Insurance Packet, which can help support your conversation. The packet includes:

• Statistics on how many people have common communication disorders.
• Evidence demonstrating that treatment works.
• Examples of model health plans.
• Informational materials you can share.

Step 3: Know Who to Talk To

Find out who handles health benefits at your job. This could be

• a human resources director
• a benefits specialist
• your union representative
• the company president

Step 4: Schedule a Meeting

Set up a meeting to talk about your concerns. Focus on one or two issues that matter most to you.

• Invite co-workers who also care about expanding coverage.
• Keep the group small (3–4 people).
• Choose one person to lead the conversation.
• Prepare a few talking points, so you stay focused.

Your meeting time may be limited, so keep it clear and direct.

Step 5: What to Talk About

Before the meeting, choose the issues that are most important to you. Here are some ideas:

• Share how communication disorders affect daily life, especially if you have a personal story.
• Explain how including treatment for hearing loss or other communication disorders can enhance employee morale, performance, and productivity.
• Use data to support your argument:
  • One in 8 people have some degree of hearing loss in both ears.
  • One in 10 adult Americans have a communication disability.
  • Research shows that speech and hearing services make a difference in prognosis and quality of life.
  • Coverage typically costs about $1.48 per member per month.
• If your employer says that schools already provide these services to children, explain that:
  • Schools serve only children who meet strict criteria
  • Clinics, hospitals, and private practices offer more comprehensive care.
  • Investing in speech, language, and hearing services for children can benefit the employer’s bottom line through lower health care costs, increased productivity, and improved employee retention.
• Invite your employer to contact a speech-language pathologist or audiologist to learn more about their services.
• Give the Employer Insurance Packet to your employer at the end of your meeting, so you can focus on your key message during the meeting.

Follow-Up

After you’ve met with the right people and shared important information with your employer, be persistent in your follow-up.

• Send a note or e-mail thanking your employer for considering adding these benefits.
• Encourage your employer to explore information available on adding speech, language, and hearing benefits to your policy.
• Let your co-workers know why coverage for these services matters and ask them to voice their support, too.

With preparation and teamwork, you can advocate for better coverage that better meets employees’ needs.