Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Fix SLP: Advocacy & Accountability in Speech-Language Pathology
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| The SPEAK Project Goes to Washington: Our CMS Meeting and What's Next | 08 Oct 2026 | 01:17:55 | |
What happened when the SPEAK Project went to Washington, DC, to fight for sustainable Medicare reimbursement for speech-language pathologists? In this episode of Fix SLP, Jeanette Benigas, PhD/SLP, and Emily Watkins, MCD/SLP, share what they can about their meetings with congressional healthcare staff and senior CMS officials as the January 1, 2027, replacement of CPT 92507 approaches. They discuss the proposed Medicare payment reductions, the national economic analysis involving nearly 1.3 million reimbursed SLP service events, and why independent data has become central to their advocacy. They also explain the role of K&L Gates, why some congressional strategy must remain confidential, and what happened in Washington that left them cautiously optimistic. Most importantly, Jeanette and Emily explain what SLPs should, and should not, be doing during this critical phase of advocacy. The fight isn't over. The strategy is in the next phase, and your involvement still matters.
#118: It’s Time to SPEAK: Part 1 - Building the Data to Fight for SLP Reimbursement #119: It’s Time to SPEAK Part 2 - Mobilizing Families for SLP Advocacy 🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| It’s Time to SPEAK: Part 3 - How to Write a CMS Comment That Matters | 04 Sep 2026 | 00:22:27 | |
The data is collected. Now it’s time to make sure CMS hears from SLPs. In Part 3 of It’s Time to SPEAK, Jeanette Benigas, PhD/SLP, and Emily Watkins, MCD/SLP, walk through the new SPEAK Project CMS Comment Builder and explain exactly what clinicians and practice owners should tell CMS about reimbursement, workload, patient access, and the real-world consequences of the proposed 2027 Medicare payment changes. If you submitted economic data to the SPEAK Project, wait until September 10 to build your comment so you can incorporate the aggregated findings. Everyone else can start now. And don’t wait until the last minute. Visit SPEAKProject.net to build your CMS comment, mobilize the Friends of SLPs in your life, and help fund the legal and lobbying team that will carry this work forward. Learn more and support the project at SPEAKPROJECT.NET. Get caught up wherever you stream podcasts! #118: It’s Time to SPEAK: Part 1 - Building the Data to Fight for SLP Reimbursement #119: It’s Time to SPEAK Part 2 - Mobilizing Families for SLP Advocacy
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| It’s Time to SPEAK: Part 2 - Mobilizing Families for SLP Advocacy | 27 Aug 2026 | 00:40:50 | |
SLP advocacy can't stop with data. If Medicare reimbursement fails to cover the cost of providing speech-language pathology services, patients and families ultimately feel the impact through longer waitlists, fewer providers, reduced insurance access, and practice closures. In Part 2 of our SPEAK Project series, Jeanette Benigas, PhD/SLP, talks with pediatric occupational therapist and private practice owner Pam Marshall about mobilizing patients and families as part of a larger SLP reimbursement advocacy strategy. After Kentucky therapy providers faced Medicaid reimbursement cuts, Pam helped create a system that made it easy for families to share their individual stories with lawmakers. Her practice generated more than 420 letters in roughly two weeks. Jeanette and Pam discuss how SLPs and practice owners can turn patient experiences into meaningful advocacy, why individual stories matter to policymakers, how practices can make participation easier for families, and why protecting access to speech therapy will require more than SLPs advocating for themselves. The economic data is only one piece of the SPEAK Project. Now we need data, dollars, connections, and people willing to SPEAK. SLP advocacy can't stop with data. If Medicare reimbursement fails to cover the cost of providing speech-language pathology services, patients and families ultimately feel the impact through longer waitlists, fewer providers, reduced insurance access, and practice closures. In Part 2 of our SPEAK Project series, Jeanette Benigas, PhD/SLP, talks with pediatric occupational therapist and private practice owner Pam Marshall about mobilizing patients and families as part of a larger SLP reimbursement advocacy strategy. After Kentucky therapy providers faced Medicaid reimbursement cuts, Pam helped create a system that made it easy for families to share their individual stories with lawmakers. Her practice generated more than 420 letters in roughly two weeks. Jeanette and Pam discuss how SLPs and practice owners can turn patient experiences into meaningful advocacy, why individual stories matter to policymakers, how practices can make participation easier for families, and why protecting access to speech therapy will require more than SLPs advocating for themselves. The economic data is only one piece of the SPEAK Project. Now we need data, dollars, connections, and people willing to SPEAK. Learn more, contribute data, and support the project at SPEAKPROJECT.NET.
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| It’s Time to SPEAK: Part 1 - Building the Data to Fight for SLP Reimbursement | 20 Aug 2026 | 01:09:48 | |
SLPs have been screaming for a long time that reimbursement is too low, costs are rising, and access to speech-language pathology services is being threatened. But can we prove it with national data? In this episode, Jeanette Benigas, PhD/SLP, introduces The Speech Pathology Education, Advocacy and Knowledge (SPEAK) Project and its first major initiative: building a national economic dataset that shows what it actually costs to provide SLP services and turn those numbers into credible national evidence we can use to advocate directly with CMS during the current public comment period. Jeanette is joined by private practice owner Holly Ellis, MS/SLP, and CPA Cody Underwood to discuss how North Carolina built its own cost analysis, why independent financial analysis matters, and what the national SPEAK Project will measure, including CPT 92507, dysphagia and cognitive services, treatment time, payer mix, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, workforce pressures, waitlists, and access to care. The immediate goal: collect high-quality data from all 50 states (+ DC) and turn that evidence into meaningful advocacy. Give data. Give dollars. Or do both. Everything starts at speakproject.net.
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| The End of CPT 92507: Is Your SLP Documentation Ready? | 11 Aug 2026 | 01:01:51 | |
92507 is changing, and SLP documentation will have to change with it.
Katie and Emily share firsthand experiences with Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance audits, including what payers requested, what triggered the audits, and why documentation supporting medical necessity and skilled intervention matters. They also deliberate one of the biggest shifts ahead: moving from a catch-all code to multiple service-specific codes means SLPs will need to clearly support what they treated, why it required skilled intervention, and the time spent providing that treatment.
Resources Mentioned 🎧 Previous episode with Emily Watkins: CMS's NEW Pediatric G Code Explained: What Every SLP Needs to Know 🎧 Previous episode with Katie Brown: Telehealth Coverage Expired: SLP Rules for Medicare Claims ▶️ Watch the Fixing the Coding Chaos series, or this episode on YouTube ✨ Grateful to Chomper Champs for bringing so much positivity and fun to the pediatric SLP space. Follow the link to order the 🦺 Fix SLP Construction Accessory Kit 🧰, or bundle and save. Fix SLP receives 20% of every purchase, so it’s a win for everyone! ✨
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| What the New Speech Therapy Codes Mean for Adult SLPs | 04 Aug 2026 | 01:22:20 | |
The new Medicare speech therapy CPT codes are coming, and adult SLPs need to prepare. In this episode, Jeanette Benigas, PhD/SLP, is joined by Katie Brown, SLP of Neuro Speech Solutions (@neurospeechsolutions), to discuss how the new code family replacing 92507 could impact adult speech-language pathology across Medicare Part B, skilled nursing, outpatient, home health, hospital outpatient, and private practice. They discuss how the new codes may affect reimbursement, scheduling, productivity, documentation, cognition treatment, Medicare Advantage, commercial insurance, and ethical billing. They also explore why accurate utilization data will be critical to future advocacy for higher reimbursement rates. Whether you own a private practice, work in a SNF, outpatient clinic, hospital, or even pediatrics, this conversation will help you understand what's changing, what questions remain unanswered, and how to start preparing now. Topics include: Resources Mentioned 🎧 Previous episode: CMS's NEW Pediatric G Code Explained: What Every SLP Needs to Know 🎧 Previous episode: New York Early Intervention in Crisis ▶️ Watch the Fixing the Coding Chaos series, or this episode on YouTube
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| CMS's NEW Pediatric G Code Explained: What Every SLP Needs to Know | 23 Jul 2026 | 01:00:07 | |
CMS surprised speech-language pathologists with a proposed pediatric G code, creating new questions about reimbursement, billing, and the future of pediatric speech therapy. In this episode, Jeanette Benigas, PhD/SLP, is joined by billing expert Rick Gawenda and pediatric private practice owner Emily Watkins, MCD/SLP, to break down what the proposed G code actually means, who it applies to, and why it matters far beyond Medicare. Topics include: Whether you're an employee, private practice owner, school-based SLP, or administrator, these proposed coding changes have the potential to affect your reimbursement, documentation, scheduling, and future practice. This episode is designed to help you understand the proposal, not tell you what position to take, so you can make informed decisions on how to comment before the CMS comment period closes.
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| ASHA’s New Consumer Website Raises Big Questions for SLPs | 14 May 2026 | 01:16:00 | |
ASHA launched a new consumer-facing website, and SLPs immediately started digging. In this episode, Jeanette Benigas, PhD/SLP, and Stephanie Feero, MS/SLP, unpack the newly rebranded Communication Health Support Association (CHSA), its connection to ASHA, and the financial and organizational questions surrounding the rollout. The conversation explores CHSA’s 70-year history, ASHA's evolving mission statements and strategic objectives, tax filings, membership positioning, ProFind listings, and the ongoing debate surrounding the CCC. Jeanette and Stephanie also examine public IRS Form 990 data, nonprofit structures, affiliate language, and the broader implications for clinicians and the future of the profession. This episode discusses publicly available documents, organizational timelines, and the growing questions many SLPs are now asking after discovering a consumer-facing association that has existed for decades with little public awareness, all mixed with a little sass and a few tin foil hat theories from Jeanette.
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| CPT 92507 Option B: This Is Our Week to Advocate | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:48:28 | |
CPT 92507 Option B is officially in front of the AMA Editorial Panel, and this is the week that decides what happens next. In this episode, Jeanette Benigas, PhD/SLP, sits down with a private practice owner of 44 years, Mary Billings, MS, CCC/SLP, who has seen Medicare cuts before, and is sounding the alarm again. What’s being proposed isn’t just a coding change. It has the potential to reshape how SLPs document, bill, and treat patients across every setting, including private practice, schools, hospitals, Medicaid, and Medicare. No one is exempt. You’ll hear exactly why the applicants submitted Option B, what’s at risk if SLPs stay silent, and why this moment is so rare. Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and once decisions are made, they can take decades to undo. If you care about your practice, your patients, or the future of this profession, this is the time to pay attention. This is the moment. This episode is sponsored by Metro EHS, a growing, clinician-supported organization using a collaborative care model across disciplines. Learn more at metroehs.com. ✨ Grateful to Chomper Champs for bringing so much positivity and fun to the pediatric SLP space. Follow the link to order the 🦺 Fix SLP Construction Accessory Kit 🧰, or bundle and save. Fix SLP receives 20% of every purchase, so it’s a win for everyone! ✨
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| State by State: West Virginia SLP Advocacy, Leadership, and the 2026 Convention | 12 Mar 2026 | 00:36:13 | |
Leaders from the West Virginia Speech-Language-Hearing Association (WVSHA) join the conversation to discuss advocacy, leadership, and the role of state organizations in speech-language pathology. Dr. Tori Gilbert, SLP, private practice owner and current association president, and Allegra Cornaglia, PhD/SLP, assistant professor and convention chair, share their experiences working within a state association and supporting clinicians across West Virginia. They discuss how WVSHA operates, opportunities for SLPs to get involved, and why clinician leadership at the state level matters. For SLPs interested in advocacy, professional leadership, or understanding how state-level organizations influence the profession, this discussion offers insight into how change happens within SLP.
🚧 Register for the WVSHA Convention, April 28-29, 2026, and don't forget to use FIXWV at checkout for the membership rate, no matter who you are or where you live.
Register for the directory at speechconnect.org and support the fundraiser that will help launch Speech Connect nationwide.
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| CPT 92507 Q&A for SLPs: Your Questions Answered | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:51:26 | |
SLPs had a lot of questions after our last episode on CPT 92507, so we brought back healthcare reimbursement expert Rick Gawenda to answer them. In this Q&A episode, we talk about: If you're an SLP allied professional trying to understand what the CPT 92507 proposal could mean for speech therapy services, reimbursement, documentation, and access to care, this episode will help you make sense of the policy debate.
✨ Grateful to Chomper Champs for bringing so much positivity and fun to the pediatric SLP space. Follow the link to preorder the 🦺 Fix SLP Construction Accessory Kit 🧰, or bundle and save. Fix SLP receives 20% of every purchase, so it’s a win for everyone! ✨ Register for the directory at speechconnect.org and support the fundraiser that will help launch Speech Connect nationwide.
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| CPT 92507 Is Being Deleted? What Every SLP Must Know About the New Speech Therapy Codes | 26 Feb 2026 | 01:27:21 | |
CPT 92507 is being deleted and replaced with new time-based speech therapy CPT codes. What does this mean for SLP reimbursement, Medicare billing, work RVUs, and compliance? In this episode of Fix SLP, Jeanette Benigas, PhD, is joined by Rick Gawenda to break down: • Why CPT 92507 was targeted for review The AMA CPT Editorial Panel approved deleting 92507 and creating ten new time-based treatment codes. But what’s missing? Language that includes auditory processing disorder, communication, and flexibility for real-world therapy sessions. If you’re a speech-language pathologist in private practice, outpatient therapy, pediatrics, hospital, SNF, or home health, this episode explains exactly what is happening and what could change in 2027. This is the episode every SLP needs to hear about CPT 92507.
✨ Grateful for Beaming Health’s partnership in helping clinicians handle insurance so they can focus on patients. Make sure to let them know that Fix SLP sent you! ✨ Register for the directory at speechconnect.org and support the fundraiser that will help launch Speech Connect nationwide.
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| How to Find a Speech Therapist: Why Speech Connect Is a Game-Changer for SLPs | 19 Feb 2026 | 00:42:49 | |
Speech Connect, SLP directory, private practice growth, ASHA ProFind alternative, and access to speech therapy, this episode covers it all. Dr. Jeanette Benigas sits down with Jordyn Montique, MS/SLP (@jrc_theslp), founder of Speech Connect, a new free, community-driven directory for licensed speech-language pathologists. Speech Connect allows families to filter by identity, specialty, neurodiversity-affirming care, insurance type, private pay, teletherapy, and more, FOR FREE, without requiring the CCC. In this conversation, they discuss why families struggle to find the right SLP, how long waitlists limit access to care, why representation in speech-language pathology matters, how private practice owners can build sustainable referral networks, and why decentralizing gatekeeping in the profession is critical to the field's future. If you’re an SLP, private practice owner, or family searching for speech therapy services, this episode explains why Speech Connect may change how clinicians and communities connect. Register for the directory at speechconnect.org and support the fundraiser helping launch Speech Connect nationwide. Want to binge some of our top episodes? Get caught up with Colleen Ashford (The ASHA Convention that Changed Everything) and AC Goldberg (I'm Not Dropping the CCC and Here's Why)
🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| State by State: Virginia SLP Association, Advocacy & 2026 Conference | 12 Feb 2026 | 00:24:09 | |
In this State by State episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas talks with Emily Bromer. MS/SLP, from the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV), about what a state membership organization actually does and why it matters for SLPs. They discuss how SHAV supports Virginia SLPs and audiologists, the benefits of state association membership, CE opportunities, student leadership development, how advocacy priorities are set, and details about the 2026 SHAV Annual Conference in Richmond, Virginia, including a special discount for nonmembers using the code FIXSLP10. If you’ve ever questioned whether joining your state association is worth it, this episode offers a practical look at how state-level professional organizations build community, shape policy, and support clinicians. Learn more about the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia, and don't forget to use code FIXSLP50 for $75 off the non-member registration at the SHAV annual conference, March 30-31. In case you missed them: ➡ Listen in on an open and honest conversation about burnout, fear of mistakes, productivity pressure, and why so many clinicians feel like they’re never doing enough, even when they’re doing everything in episode 106.
🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| SLPs Are Asking About ASHA’s CCC Refund Policy: Here’s Why | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:42:51 | |
In this solo episode, Jeanette Benigas, PhD/SLP, unpacks why speech-language pathologists across the country are suddenly questioning ASHA’s CCC refund policy, and what changed to prompt those questions. Many clinicians are discovering, often for the first time, that ASHA membership and the Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) are bundled in ways that were never clearly explained on renewal invoices or on ASHA's website, and that refunds are cut off after January 1. This episode explains what ASHA’s refund policy actually says, how it applies to both membership and certification, why assumptions about “required” credentials are starting to fall apart, and why SLPs may be owed a refund if one is requested. Jeanette also explains how employer misrepresentation, unclear renewal processes, and shifting information environments have contributed to confusion, and why this moment isn’t about outrage, but about transparency. You’ll hear practical guidance on consumer protections, documentation, and appropriate channels for raising concerns, including state consumer protection offices and the attorney general's complaints process. This episode is about clarity, informed choice, and understanding your rights when credentials, money, and employment intersect.
🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| The Myth of the Perfect SLP | 29 Jan 2026 | 01:03:40 | |
Burnout is driving talented SLPs out of the profession, and perfectionism is a major reason why. In this episode, we break down the myth of the “perfect SLP” and how unrealistic expectations that start in grad school, intensify through credentialing culture, and follow clinicians into the workplace are breaking speech-language pathologists. We talk honestly about burnout, fear of mistakes, productivity pressure, and why so many clinicians feel like they’re never doing enough, even when they’re doing everything. This conversation reframes burnout as a systemic problem, not a personal failure, and names what SLPs actually need to stay in the field. If you missed the infamous Dr. Kroll and Phuong Palafox discuss burnout, get caught up here!
🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| Proof of Life | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:25:13 | |
After an unexpected eight-week silence, Dr. Jeanette Benigas returns to the Fix SLP Podcast to explain where she’s been, what’s been happening behind the scenes, and why stepping away was necessary. In this episode, Jeanette addresses burnout in speech-language pathology, advocacy fatigue, care partner strain, and the pressure of being constantly accessible while leading a clinician-driven movement. She speaks directly to listeners, supporters, and sustaining partners who felt confused or unsettled by the silence, offering transparency without dramatization. You’ll also hear how Fix SLP is moving forward with clearer boundaries, better planning, and a more sustainable approach to podcasting and advocacy, so the work can continue without burning out the people doing it.
Stop paying to track ASHA-approved CEUs. Save your money and set up for a FREE CEU/PDH tracker with Speech Therapy PD. While you are there, get $10 off a professional subscription with the code FixSLP10! 🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| Real SLP Stories: Grad Student Discrimination, CCC Confusion & F-Code Insurance Chaos | 13 Nov 2025 | 00:37:30 | |
In this listener mailbag episode, SLP grad students, clinicians, and private practice owners call the Minivan Meltdown line to share what’s really happening behind the scenes in our field. First, a grad student with a repaired bilateral cleft lip and palate describes a supervisor who told her she “can’t be a good SLP” because of her speech difference. Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, SLP, break down discrimination in training, how CCC standards exclude disabled and Deaf clinicians, and why difference is not disorder. Next, a medical SLP who accidentally dropped her CCC in 2008 shares what happened when she kept her state license and kept working. We talk shame culture, confusion around the CCC, mutual recognition agreements, and why so many CCC “rules” fall apart under scrutiny. Finally, a private practice owner in Kentucky explains how pediatric F-codes (like F80) were treated as “mental health” diagnoses, triggering visit caps, mass denials, and 12–18 month reimbursement delays. We unpack F-code chaos, the Mental Health Parity Act, and why small practices shouldn’t be the ones stuck fighting insurers. If you’ve ever been gaslit by a supervisor, confused by the CCC, or crushed by insurance games, this episode is your reminder: you’re not the problem. The system is. Stop paying to track ASHA-approved CEUs. Save your money and set up for a FREE CEU/PDH tracker with Speech Therapy PD. While you are there, get $10 off a professional subscription with the code FixSLP10! 🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| The Invisible Workload of School-Based SLPs: Research, Burnout, and Leadership Fails | 06 Nov 2025 | 01:11:15 | |
SLP burnout isn’t a personal failure; it’s a systems problem. In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, talk with researchers Dr. Tobias Kroll (Texas Tech) and Phuong Palafox, SLP, about their study, “The Invisible Workload of School-Based SLPs.” We cover why SLPs are advocating (and being ignored), how caseload vs. workload, siloed roles, and “martyr culture” fuel overwhelm, and where leadership and IDEA compliance pressure go off the rails. You’ll hear practical wins that work now, and bigger-picture fixes universities and national orgs must lead. If you’ve ever been told to “practice self-care” while your schedule balloons, this conversation gives language, evidence, and steps to push back... together. 💛 Connect with Phuong Palafox on her website or Instagram. Stop paying to track ASHA-approved CEUs. Save your money and set up for a FREE CEU/PDH tracker with Speech Therapy PD. While you are there, get $10 off a professional subscription with the code FixSLP10! 🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| Union Power & Policy Change: Oregon SLPs Ended Pay-Per-Visit (Home Health & Hospice) | 30 Oct 2025 | 00:49:49 | |
Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, sits down with Oregon SLP Kara Hayden, MS/SLP, to unpack how clinicians organized, lobbied, and helped pass a state law requiring hourly pay, ending pay-per-visit in home health and hospice. They cover timelines, productivity pressure, joining an existing nurses’ union, building a small core team, securing a sponsor, writing testimony, and answering the big question: “Won’t agencies just pay less?” If you’re ready to push for change in your state, pay models, Medicaid rules, or workplace policies, this episode gives you the blueprint and the courage to start. Brought to you by Verse Therapy, the business-in-a-box solution for SLPs who want to start, run, and grow private practice with confidence. Verse Therapy makes private practice a realistic option by providing an AI-integrated EHR, marketing support, cohort trainings, and a team that helps you build your brand and run your practice like a pro. Learn more at versetherapy.com.
🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| I Let My CCC Expire… Then Chose to Reinstate | 23 Oct 2025 | 00:40:45 | |
After letting her CCC lapse without regret, Christal Washington, MS/SLP, later chose to reinstate, on her own terms, to help the private practice she works at grow. She shares the exact process, Praxis prep, and timeline, plus what she learned about working without the CCC. This honest story strips away the fear and shows what reinstatement really looks like when the choice is yours. Brought to you by Informed Jobs, founded by Dr. Meredith Harold — because the right job shouldn’t require the wrong credentials. If you missed her viral episode “You’re Not Making $60/hour: The Lies Buried in SLP Job Posts,” go listen now.
🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| Telehealth Coverage Expired: SLP Rules for Medicare Claims | 02 Oct 2025 | 00:30:21 | |
Telehealth coverage for SLPs under Medicare expired on October 1, 2025. In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Katie Brown, SLP, explain what this means for the provision of Telehealth services for traditional Medicare Part B beneficiaries, the nuances for Part A beneficiaries, and the allowance of private pay. They also unpack the government shutdown’s impact on claims processing, what remains unchanged for Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans, and why employers shouldn’t issue blanket telehealth bans without checking payer rules. Get clear, practical guidance plus the free Telehealth Toolkit to support your patients and advocate for continued access. Find all of the advocacy tools you need here to participate in the telehealth call to action, or check out Katie's SLPs Blueprint to Medicare Success and get $100 off with the code FixSLP. If you missed it, catch Katie and Jeanette’s earlier conversation on Medicare telehealth in Episode 96. It sets the stage for what’s happening now.
🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| Michigan SLPs Take Back Control as HB 4484 Moves Forward | 23 Sep 2025 | 00:27:31 | |
Michigan SLPs just scored a unanimous 15–0 win in the Michigan House Health Policy Committee. House Bill 4484 is officially moving forward, clarifying that the state license, not a private certificate, is the credential for reimbursement. In this bonus episode, we detail what’s next in the Michigan legislative process, why this matters for Medicaid states, and how SLPs can replicate the win across the country. Plus: the SLP Compact update and celebrating two years of Fix SLP! Thank you to our sponsor, ⭐️ Befitting You Medical Supply, ⭐️ offering AAC devices with hands-on assessments, education, and support for patients and families. Check them out! 🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| From Fear to Facts: SLP Concerns About Praxis, CCC, and Supervision | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:54:59 | |
SLP fear is real, but facts are louder. In this Fix SLP Podcast episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, unpack the top fears heard daily: Praxis retakes, reinstating the ASHA CCC, supervision requirements, getting overlooked by misinformed employers, whether CCC status affects international portability via the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, and how employer education, not court battles, drives SLP autonomy and better jobs. This episode shows how to turn fear into facts: evaluating your local job market, approaching HR about removing CCC requirements, clarifying supervision rules, and proving that patient outcomes, not extra letters, define true competence in the field.
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| ASHA Membership vs CCC: What SLPs Need to Know Before Renewal | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:49:26 | |
Renewal season is here, and the confusion is real: what’s the difference between ASHA membership and the CCC, and what do SLPs actually need to practice? In this episode, we discuss the legal authority of your state license, why the CCC is sold as a product, what “membership perks” really mean, and when keeping or dropping the CCC matters for supervision, Medicaid billing, or employer policies. Clear, actionable, and timely. This is your guide to making the right renewal decision. Thank you to our sponsor, ⭐️ SLP Elevate by Speech Time Fun ⭐️, offering engaging materials for grades 4–12, whether you work virtually or in person. Learn more at slpelevate.com! If you missed it a year ago, listen to Zane Rankin's story as the FIRST SLP in Arkansas credentialed for billing without the CCC after ASHA unceremoniously stripped it away following his unplanned medical retirement. 🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| Telehealth Under Threat: Protecting Access for Adults and Families | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:29:06 | |
Telehealth for speech therapy is under threat, and if Medicare pulls access, the consequences could ripple far beyond one program. Adults, families, and care partners lose critical care options, but that’s just the start. A Medicare rollback could trigger private insurance and Medicaid to follow suit, resulting in reduced access across the board. In this episode, we explore why telehealth is crucial for patients who can’t drive, for care partners balancing demanding schedules, and for clinicians serving rural and underserved communities. You’ll also get advocacy tools, ready-to-use letter templates, and simple ways to mobilize your practice and patients to keep telehealth accessible. Find all of the advocacy tools you need here to participate in the telehealth call to action, or check out Katie's SLPs Blueprint to Medicare Success and get $100 off with the code FixSLP. Stop paying to track ASHA-approved CEUs. Save your money and set up for a FREE CEU/PDH tracker with Speech Therapy PD. While you are there, get $10 off a professional subscription with the code FixSLP10! Thank you to our sponsor, ⭐️ Befitting You Medical Supply ⭐️, offering AAC devices with hands-on assessments, education, and support for patients and families. Check them out! New here? Subscribe, share with a colleague, and call the Minivan Meltdown line at fixslp.com to add your voice. 🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| How to Shop SLP Malpractice Insurance Without ASHA Membership | 26 Aug 2025 | 00:39:43 | |
SLP malpractice insurance without ASHA Membership (or the CCC), fact or fiction? In this Fix SLP Summer School episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, discuss affordable liability coverage options for licensed SLPs who choose not to maintain ASHA membership or the CCC. They explain the ProLiability/AMBA partnership, why it’s not your only option, what policies and riders are important (malpractice, general liability, E&O, license defense), and how to shop smart for rates that fit your risk and setting. Plus: our first sponsor, ⭐️ Remedy ⭐️, an EMR built by SLPs, offering early access with 50% off your first two months. Check them out! PLUS, a quick Michigan update: Health Policy Committee vote scheduled for HB 4484. New here? Subscribe, share with a colleague, and call the Minivan Meltdown line at fixslp.com to add your voice. 🚧 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. | |||
| SLP Burnout: Causes, Caseloads & Boundaries That Work | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:34:40 | |
Burnout is hitting SLPs earlier and harder, especially as caseloads and productivity rise. Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, is joined by Fix SLP’s Mikayla Treynor, MA/SLP, to chat about what burnout really is (per WHO), how high caseloads and rising productivity targets fuel it, and how to tell burnout from simple under‑stimulation. They share practical strategies you can use now: set enforceable boundaries, stop unpaid paperwork, try micro‑breaks, prioritize real rest, use therapy as a tool, track wins, choose CEUs that actually energize you, and connect with peers. They also zoom out to system‑level solutions such as workload models, employer education, and advocacy that make your day‑to‑day job better. If you’re a school or medical SLP feeling stretched thin, this episode gives you tools, language, and a plan to protect your energy and stay in the field you love. ·Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. ·We want to collaborate with YOU. If you would like to lead or join your state team, please email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| From Provisional to Permanent: Modernizing SLP Licensure & Mentorship in Virginia | 15 Aug 2025 | 00:44:48 | |
Virginia is shaking up SLP licensure. Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, talks with Ed Bice, M.Ed./SLP, acting president of the Speech-Hearing Association of Virginia, about their petition to eliminate provisional licenses and grant full licensure to new grads immediately upon graduation. They unpack the petition’s purpose, address mentorship versus supervision, explore impacts on The Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, and discuss how Virginia’s model could inspire other states to modernize their systems. 🎧 Don't miss last week's episode for more on Virginia's petition. ·Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. ·We want to collaborate with YOU. If you would like to lead or join your state team, please email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| How ASHA Turned the SLP Interstate Compact Into a Threat | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:35:33 | |
ASHA doesn’t own the SLP Interstate Compact, but in Virginia, they used it as leverage to oppose a petition aimed at removing the supervised experience requirement for full licensure. In this bonus episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, unpack the petition, ASHA’s public letter of dissent, and why using the SLP Interstate Compact as a scare tactic matters for SLPs nationwide. We break down the Medicare Administrative Contractor and private insurance barriers, the CMS connection, and Fix SLP’s alternative solution to qualify new graduates for full licensure immediately after graduation while protecting both access to care and new graduate support. ·Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. ·We want to collaborate with YOU. If you would like to lead or join your state team, please email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Empathy Over Shame: What the SLP Praxis Fallout Reveals About Our Field | 06 Aug 2025 | 00:54:38 | |
This week on Fix SLP, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, call out the emotional and professional fallout from the Praxis exam scandal, the profession’s empathy deficit, and what the response reveals about the culture of speech-language pathology. They discuss how shame and judgment are being used to gatekeep the field, what really happened with the 180 impacted students, and what Fix SLP is doing to investigate and support those caught in the storm. Plus: how to prepare for the upcoming CCC renewal deadline and why this is a moment for reflection, action, and change. 🎧 Don't miss last week's episode for the full story. ·Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. ·We want to collaborate with YOU. If you would like to lead or join your state team, please email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Guilt by Google Doc: The Praxis Exam Scandal Explained | 30 Jul 2025 | 01:00:52 | |
This week, we break down the shocking Praxis exam scandal that has rocked the SLP world. ETS canceled scores for over 180 future clinicians, citing cheating and policy violations tied to a shared Google Doc. We explain what happened, who’s being penalized, and why the response from ASHA is raising eyebrows. Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, bring clarity, evidence, and a call to stop fear-based culture in the field. If you're impacted or just want to understand what this means for the profession, you don’t want to miss this episode. ·Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. ·We want to collaborate with YOU. If you would like to lead or join your state team, please email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| ASHA CCC Reinstatement: Facts, Fear, and What You Actually Need | 22 Jul 2025 | 00:26:56 | |
In this summer school episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, unpack everything SLPs need to know about CCC reinstatement, from costs and Praxis requirements to outdated myths. Whether you’re a new grad, stay-at-home mom, or seasoned clinician ready to let the CCC go, this episode breaks down the three requirements for reinstatement and what’s actually worth worrying about. Plus, updates on the Fix SLP on our way to 100K contest! ·Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. ·We want to collaborate with YOU. If you would like to lead or join your state team, please email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| SLPs: Stop Rubber‑Stamping ASHA Elections — Vote No | 14 Jul 2025 | 00:49:27 | |
Are ASHA elections really democratic? In this episode of the Fix SLP Podcast, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, dig into ASHA’s so-called “elections,” exposing how the committee system hand-picks a slate, leaving SLPs with no real choice. They discuss the heavy tilt toward academia, why it keeps the same priorities in power, and how voting NO is a small but powerful protest. Learn why thousands of SLPs are removing CCCs from their signatures, dropping membership, and urging peers to vote NO to demand change. Tune in for candid insights, practical action, and our trademark Fix SLP sass. ·Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. ·We want to collaborate with YOU. If you would like to lead or join your state team, please email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Drop the CCC Flex. It’s Just Making ASHA Richer | 08 Jul 2025 | 00:21:44 | |
Welcome to episode 3 of the Fix SLP Summer School Series! Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, break down why the CCC is NOT a license, how to correctly sign your name as an SLP, and how putting CCC everywhere just turns you into a free ASHA billboard. We’re tackling the sneaky ways this misinformation keeps spreading so you can protect your title—and your wallet. Whether you’re a new grad or a seasoned pro, this is your reminder to stop advertising for ASHA and start standing up for yourself. Share it, rate it, and keep fixing the mess in our field! Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Michigan SLP Bill: Cutting Red Tape with House Bill 4484 | 03 Jul 2025 | 00:35:16 | |
Join Dr. Jeanette Benigas, Preston Lewis, MA/SLP, and Alexa Chapman, MA/SLP, as they break down Michigan’s House Bill 4484, a major step in ensuring state licensure remains the sole credential for SLPs—no CCC required. Hear how grassroots advocacy drove this bill forward, what it means for SLPs across Michigan, and why it’s a model for other states. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at testifying in Lansing and what’s next for Fix SLP’s nationwide movement. Stay up to date with the Fix SLP Michigan Blog Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Challenging the CCC in SLP Jobs | Fix SLP Summer School Ep. 2 | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:33:42 | |
This Fix SLP Podcast Summer School episode breaks down why CCC requirements still show up in SLP job postings—and how you can push back. Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, tackle lazy copy-paste listings, leadership mindsets stuck in the past, and how real SLPs have gotten major employers to drop the CCC. Hear wins from Michigan, plus learn how to start the conversation with HR. Ready to bust myths and change your workplace? Subscribe and keep schooling the system. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Do You Really Need the CCC in Private Practice? | Fix SLP Summer School Ep. 1 | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:15:59 | |
Welcome to Episode 1 of the Fix SLP Summer School series—where we’re schooling the system all summer long. Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, and private practice owner Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, tackle a key question: Do you really need the CCC in private practice? Elizabeth shares how dropping the CCC had zero impact on billing, referrals, or her waitlist—even with major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| CMS Just Exposed the ASHA Clinical Fellowship Problem—Now What? | 17 Jun 2025 | 00:28:46 | |
CMS didn’t create a new rule—they just enforced an old one in a new way. And it’s exposing the weakness in our entire clinical fellowship (CF) model. In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, explain how ASHA’s CF requirement has now become a national liability, why CMS won’t listen to petitions, and what Fix SLP is doing instead. From the collapse of provisional licensure to a bold plan to rewrite state policies, this is the real story behind what’s shaking up SLP right now.
Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| How ASHA Built a Monopoly in Speech-Language Pathology, and Why We Filed a Federal Complaint | 10 Jun 2025 | 01:15:02 | |
Fix SLP was never just about making noise—it was built to challenge systems that gatekeep, exploit, and mislead. In this foundational episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, explain why the CCC isn’t just unnecessary—it might be illegal. We walk through the Sherman Antitrust Act, our official complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and how we allege ASHA's CCC requirement may violate federal law by restricting access to jobs, supervision, and professional advancement in speech-language pathology. We expose the financial structure behind ASHA’s business model, the myth of the clinical fellowship year, and how the CCC props up a pay-to-play system that disproportionately harms new grads, small business owners, and anyone without institutional backing. This is the legal case that lit the fire behind Fix SLP, and we’re just getting started.
Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| How Mentorship Is Failing SLPs — And What We Can Do About It | 03 Jun 2025 | 01:02:32 | |
Mentorship is supposed to shape confident, competent SLPs, but too often, it leaves them overwhelmed, underprepared, and unsupported. In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas talks with Lynsie Erickson-Facca, MS/SLP, of The Speech Pack, to unpack the mentorship crisis in our field, from outdated supervisors to broken systems, and what ethical, empowered mentorship should look like.
Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount?
Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Mentorship Is Broken and New SLPs Are Paying the Price | 27 May 2025 | 00:56:34 | |
New SLPs are burning out—and it’s not their fault. We talk about the problems with traditional new graduate supervision models, the role of mentorship in preventing SLP burnout, and the urgent need to move away from ASHA-branded language (such as certified fellow and CF) in state licensure and job requirements. Whether you're a seasoned SLP supervising a student or a new grad wondering if you picked the wrong field, this episode is packed with perspective, real-world strategies, and hard truths.
Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount?
Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| SLPs: Stop Getting Underpaid. Start Contracting. | 20 May 2025 | 01:04:13 | |
Are staffing agencies and investor-backed companies pocketing the profits while you do the work? In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP sit down with Elise Mitchell, MS/SLP, founder of The Therapist Support Network, to expose how contracting puts the power—and the paycheck—back in your hands. Whether you're in schools, hospitals, or private practice, learn how SLPs are building income, autonomy, and stability by cutting out the middleman. We cover how to pitch contracts, what to charge, and why provider-run businesses are the future of speech-language pathology. Don't forget to download and listen to The Guide to Setting Your Rate for School Contracts and show Elise some love with a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and review so even more SLPs can find her information. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount?
Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| You’re Not Making $60/hour: The Lies Buried in SLP Job Posts | 13 May 2025 | 00:53:28 | |
Ready to finally understand what you’re really getting paid—and what’s being kept from you in SLP job listings? In this jaw-dropping episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP sit down with Dr. Meredith Harold, SLP, founder of The Informed SLP and Informed Jobs, to expose the hidden red flags in speech-language pathology job postings, the illusion of hourly pay, and the myth of wage transparency in our field. You’ll learn why your “$60/hour” offer might mean you’re actually earning less than $30/hour, how to decode the difference between W-2 vs. 1099 pay, and what employers aren’t telling you about QA paperwork, mileage, and productivity demands. 💥 Plus, we reveal the shocking stat: nearly 40% of job postings do NOT require the CCC—proving what Fix SLP has said all along: you don’t need ASHA’s credential to thrive in this profession. Whether you're a new grad, a seasoned clinician, or somewhere in between, this episode will arm you with the knowledge to stop settling and start negotiating from power. 🎧 Tune in, take notes, and take your autonomy back.
Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Texas Trouble: ASHA’s Quiet Power Grab Exposed | 06 May 2025 | 00:32:01 | |
ASHA’s fingerprints are all over a sneaky new Texas bill—and the receipts are here. This episode exposes how ASHA is quietly pushing policies that keep SLPs trapped in their CCC web, fueling fear and gatekeeping in the profession.
Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| The Moment You Say No: How Clinicians Took Back Their Power | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:41:03 | |
Change doesn’t come by asking nicely—it comes by saying NO when it matters most. In this episode, we’re taking a hard look at boundaries, advocacy, and why protecting yourself is non-negotiable. Because fixing SLP means fixing how we are treated, and it starts with you.
Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Unlicensed, Unclear, and Untamed: The SLPA Regulation Mess | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:37:40 | |
SLPAs are everywhere, but are states ready for them? From total chaos to silent overreach, this episode examines the regulatory mess that’s leaving clinicians confused and patients at risk. Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, question the shocking inconsistencies in SLPA and SLP aide requirements across the U.S.—from untrained aides treating medically fragile patients to CCC-tethered supervision rules that sneak ASHA back into the mix. We’re talking state policy, gatekeeping, and what happens when no one’s steering the ship. Whether you're supervising, working alongside, or are an SLPA, this episode pulls back the curtain on what’s broken—and what Fix SLP suggests doing about it. You’ll also hear about our 50-state SLPA regulation spreadsheet and how you can help shape what’s next. This is the episode your licensing board hopes you never hear. Visit fixslp.com to access the SLPA regulation spreadsheet, or record your own Minivan Meltdown.
Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Burn It Down, Build It Better | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:45:55 | |
What would you build if ASHA disappeared tomorrow? This week, we're rewriting the rules of our profession—from the dues to leadership to culture—with bold, unapologetic ideas for what a better SLP organization could look like. We're talking transparent budgets, free CEUs, mental health access, and an end to credential gatekeeping. Dr. Jeanette Benigas. SLP and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, pinpoint the flaws in the current system and lay out a vision for one that actually serves clinicians. From hilarious rants in nursing home closets to raw truths about burnout and bureaucracy, this episode is the rallying cry for every SLP who's ever thought, "There has to be a better way." If you're ready to burn it down and build it better, this is the episode you share. 💥
Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Abandoning the System, Not the Patient | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:54:59 | |
Your boss says taking sick leave is patient abandonment? Let’s talk about what’s actually legal — and what’s pure manipulation. This episode might just be the most important one you hear all year. In this fiery and deeply personal episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, expose the truth about patient abandonment—what it is, what it isn’t, and why so many SLPs are guilted into staying in toxic jobs. Jeanette shares her own story of walking away from a draining home health position and explains, step-by-step, how she protected her patients and her peace. This episode is packed with actionable takeaways:
If you’ve ever been told, “You can’t leave — that’s abandonment,” you must hear this. ✅ Subscribe
Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||
| Compact Confusion: Is the CCC Sneaking Into the Interstate Compact? | 01 Apr 2025 | 00:48:49 | |
Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, welcomes Candice Harrell, a North Carolina-based SLP and grassroots advocate, to chat about one of the most confusing—and potentially transformative—developments in the field: the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). Together, they unravel what the Compact is, what it isn’t, and why it matters for your license, your wallet, and your autonomy. From the risks of tying the CCC to the Compact, to the surprising transparency of the Commission, to the complex web of fees, background checks, and state-specific regulations, this episode gives you the full picture. Whether you're wondering how the Compact will impact telepractice or school licensure or you just want to know if it’s worth it, this conversation cuts through the noise with facts, examples, and a healthy dose of skepticism. Fixers, this is the deep dive you’ve been waiting for. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. | |||