Speech Therapy (Logopedia) with Sanitas Health Insurance

Everything you need to know about assessments, session types, referrals, cover limits, and how to book through Sanitas in Spain.

 

When you might be referred to a speech therapist

Speech and language therapy - known as logopedia in Spain - assesses, diagnoses and treats difficulties with speech sounds, language understanding and expression, voice, fluency and, in some cases, swallowing.

If changes in your voice, speech or language are causing problems, your Sanitas doctor may refer you to a speech and language therapist (logopeda). These specialists work with children and adults to understand the pattern of symptoms and build a plan to improve everyday communication.

Speech and language difficulties are common in childhood and can also appear in adulthood after illness or injury. Knowing what the symptoms look like helps guide the right type of therapy.

 

Speech therapy for children

Early support can make a big difference at home and at school. Therapy for children is playful, practical and tailored to their needs, with parents involved to keep progress going between sessions.

• Articulation: helping a child produce sounds and words more clearly.
• Language development: building vocabulary, understanding meaning, and putting sentences together (comprehension and sentence structure).
• Fluency: developing smoother, more fluent speech and tackling stammering and other disruptions to flow.
• Voice: addressing hoarseness, pitch, loudness and resonance problems.
• Feeding & swallowing: supporting safe eating, chewing and swallowing when these skills are delayed.
• Selective mutism: gradually increasing a child’s ability to speak in challenging social situations.

Parents and carers are usually given simple strategies and home activities so new skills are practised in everyday life.

 

Speech therapy for adults

Adults may seek therapy for communication changes linked to neurological conditions, stroke or head injury, voice overuse, or natural ageing. Therapy focuses on practical goals—clearer speech, easier conversation, safer swallowing and more confidence day to day.

• Speech sounds: fine-tuning articulation and pronunciation, especially for tricky words or sound patterns.
• Language: improving understanding and expression—common after stroke or brain injury.
• Voice: managing nodules, hoarseness or loss of range caused by high-demand voice use (teachers, presenters, singers).
• Fluency: strategies to reduce stammering and improve speech flow
• Cognitive-communication: supporting memory, attention and problem-solving that affect conversation after stroke or TBI.
• Swallowing (dysphagia): exercises and techniques to make swallowing safer and more efficient.

 

How speech therapy cover works with Sanitas

With Sanitas private health insurance in Spain, logopedia is usually accessible when medically indicated and prescribed by a doctor in the Sanitas network. Most Sanitas plans (Mas Salud, Mas 90, Accede, Top Quantum) specify that speech therapy is covered only for medical rehabilitation—not for purely educational or learning reasons. Where therapy is needed solely for classroom performance or school reports without a medical diagnosis, coverage is generally excluded.

• Plan type: With co-payments — you pay a small fee per covered session. Without co-payments — sessions are included in your fixed premium.
• Referral: Normally required from Paediatrics, ENT (Otorrinolaringología), Neurology or a GP/Family Doctor.
• Authorisation: Some plans ask for prior authorisation after the assessment, especially for a course of therapy.
• Waiting periods: A waiting period of around 3 months may apply for new clients, or be waived if you are transferring from another insurer (with equivalent cover and no break).
• Where: Sessions are delivered in Sanitas network clinics/hospitals or authorised rehab centres. Many plans also allow video consultations (MiSanitas app) for follow-ups.
• Reimbursement & extended sessions: Premium plans and certain corporate/child/family policies may increase session limits or reimburse claims for non-network therapists, according to the plan’s stated limits.

Not usually covered: maintenance-only therapy, school-only assessments, or non-medical coaching without a diagnosis.

 

Typical care pathway

1. See a doctor: GP/Paediatrics/ENT/Neurology to explain the concern.
2. Referral: to logopedia / foniatría for assessment; hearing or neurological tests may be requested.
3. Assessment: tests + clinical observation; a written plan with goals and session frequency.
4. Therapy block: e.g., 6–12 sessions with periodic reviews; home practice is key.
5. Review / discharge: when goals are reached or updated.

 

What to expect from therapy

Your therapist matches techniques to the cause of the difficulty and to what you want to achieve—whether that’s recovering after illness or simply communicating more comfortably.

1. Assessment: a structured evaluation to identify the specific speech, language, voice or swallowing issue.
2. Goal setting: clear, realistic goals agreed with you (or with parents for child therapy).
3. Treatment activities: targeted exercises—for example, sound practice, language tasks, fluency techniques or swallowing drills.
4. Communication strategies: practical tips, alternative approaches and social-communication skills where helpful.
5. Home practice: short exercises to reinforce clinic work—consistency makes the biggest difference.
6. Feedback & review: regular check-ins to adjust the plan and update goals as you progress.

The number and length of sessions vary with the severity of the difficulty and personal goals. Attending regularly and practising at home usually leads to better outcomes.

Insurance note: coverage for logopedia depends on medical need and your specific Sanitas plan. Check your policy for referral and authorisation requirements.

 

How to book & what you’ll need

• Booking: request/receive a referral from your Sanitas doctor; book a logopedia assessment via the MiSanitas app or by calling the clinic; submit authorisation if requested.
• Bring to your first visit: referral letter, recent medical/hearing reports, ID/NIE and Sanitas policy number, plus notes about concerns and examples (e.g., short videos).
• After the assessment: you’ll receive goals, session frequency and a home practice plan; reviews will track progress and update goals.

 

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