Speech Generating Devices

Speech Generating Device Funding

  • The CPUC, as part of its California Connect (CAC) program, provides funding for Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) as the provider of last resort pursuant to California Public Utilities Code Section 2881.

  • Applications for CAC funding of Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) are now available.

  • The SGDs covered by this application are those identified as durable medical equipment by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  • Applicants for funding need to have been evaluated by a speech language pathologist (SLP).

  • To qualify for this program, the SGDs must meet the applicant’s needs for access to, and use of, the telephone network based on the recommendation of an SLP.

  • The CAC SGD Application Packet for Funding can be found at this link: Application Packet. Please download the document and complete per the instructions.

  • Those applicants who do not have any public or private insurance that will fund an SGD, in whole or in part, will need to complete a Letter of Attestation, which is included in the Application Packet.

  • SGD Vendors needing to file a claim can access the Claim Checklist here: Claim Checklist.

Voice Options

  • CAC, through its Voice Options Program, provides iPads with speech apps to persons with disabilities.

  • Voice Options is currently administered by the California Department of Rehabilitation and additional information about this program can be found here: Voice Options - CA Department of Rehabilitation.

SGD Provider Contact Information (alphabetical order):

Vendor Contact Information

Attainment Company, Inc.

1158 Clarity Street, Verona, WI 53593

Attn: Megan Hirzel

megan@attainmentcompany.com

Phone: 1-800-327-4269

Fax: 1-800-942-3865

Control Bionics Inc.

302 W 3rd Street, Suite 810, Cincinnati, OH 45202

 Attn:  Stacy Berard

sberard@controlbionics.com

Phone:  1-855-831-7521

Fax:   None

Environmental Sound Solutions, Inc.

PO Box 9602, Bakersfield, CA 93389-9602

Attn: Tara DeBondt

tara@essiav.com

Phone: 661-324-9044

Fax: None

EYEGAZE

10363 Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA 22030

Attn:  Kim Brown

Funding@eyegaze.com

Phone:  703-385-8800

Fax: None

Forbes Rehab Services, Inc.

181 Illinois Avenue South, Mansfield, Ohio 44905

Attn: Tina Neal

Tinan@forbesaac.com

Phone: 1-419-589-7688

Fax: 1-419-589-5146

Lingraphicare America, Inc.

700 Alexander Park Dr, Suite 101, Princeton, NJ 08540-6351

Attn: Christine Love

clove@lingraphica.com

Ph: 866-656-6840

Fax: None

PRC (Prentke Romich Co. – including Saltillo)

1022 Heyl Road, Wooster, OH 44691

Attn: Hedi Garber

Hedi.Garber@PRC-Saltillo.com

Phone: 330-262-1984

Fax: 330-263-4829

Talk To Me Technologies LLC dba Smartbox US

1100 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 50613

Attn: Kirsten Kane

kirsten.Kane@smartboxaac.com

Phone: 877-392-2299

Fax: 888-310-3112

Shelton Technologies and Resources LLC

322 E Pine St, Lakeland, FL 33801

Attn: Katherine Erdly

katherine@staraac.com

Phone: 863-603-7827

Fax: 863-603-0255

Tobii/Dynavox Systems, LLC

1400 Cherrington Parkway, Building 100, Coraopolis, PA 15108

Attn: Amy Rodriguez

Amy.Rodriguez@tobiidynavox.com

Phone: 800-344-1778

Fax: None

SGD Provider Price Lists

SGD vendors currently providing durable medical equipment under this program and their price lists based on MSRP are listed below. Pursuant to legislation, CPUC reimbursement cannot exceed that of Medi-Cal.

Legislative History

  • Assembly Bill 136 (Beall, 2011, Ch. 404) directed the CPUC to include SGDs as part of CAC and added speech language pathologists as certifying agents.
  • Pursuant to legislation, the CPUC adopted rules to expand CAC to include SGDs by January 1, 2014. The CPUC voted out Decision 13-12-054 (December 19, 2013) which put in place these rules.
  • In response to CPUC Decision 13-12-054 in R. 13-03-008 implementing AB 136 (Ch. 404, 2011), the Communications Division provided a report dated July 31, 2014 on the status of the first six months of Speech Generating Device distribution for January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014.
  • Decision 23-02-022 was issued on February 23, 2023, closing the proceeding and incorporating the Supplemental Telecommunications Equipment trial (Voice Options Pilot) as a permanent part of California Connect.

SGD Provider of Last Resort Funding Statistics

Voice Options Monthly Status Reports