Re: Re: Medicaid Waiver Programs

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to post that both of my children are in the HCS program. It

has been a wonderful experience but like anything to do with our children it

does take a lot of work on the parents part too. We have a wonderful

provider and the best case manager that I could ever have hoped for. My

children have been in the program for almost 3 years now and are receiving

services that we could never have been able to afford on our own. We have

just switched over to the consumer directed program for our supportive home

living and respite staff. We were pretty much been doing it this way from

the beginning but now it is official. My children get speech therapy

(currently looking for an OT) and we are also able to have a full ABA

program with them by using our supportive home living hours and having a

wonderful BCBA who is also a psychologist.

I feel very fortunate that our experience has only been positive and I

attribute that to having a dedicated agency with an equally dedicated case

manager.

-- Re: Medicaid Waiver Programs

You're forgetting that the purpose of the Medicaid Waivers is not to

take care of our children- the purpose is to create a lot of red tape

and employ layers of people to manage the programs. The state of

Texas doesn't trust parents.

Barbara

>

> Yes - something like the Flexible Benefits Plan through employers.

They give you a " spending card " for approved services. You use that

card as you need to, for medical items. The checks and balances is

that you have to mail in documentation of the expenses. If you send

in a receipt that is not for a medical item, they freeze your account

until you repay that back.

>

> Something like that for Medicaid-Waiver programs would be great.

A spending card with a fixed amount on it for the parent to use for

services/supports for their child. You mail in documentation to

prove the service was for the child, etc. If one of your receipts

is like for a vacation in the Bahama's - then your spending account

is frozen, etc.

>

> But that would be practical and efficient and we know the chances

of that happening.....

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

but that means all these agencies and middle men will lose their jobs. This

is not in their best interest.

Re: Medicaid Waiver Programs

> Actually, it might be possible to make it happen...

> they already have these Cash and Counseling programs in Medicaid in

> other states, we could try to get the State to develop one for

> Autism.

>

> " Cash and Counseling " programs were developed to be like a Flexible

> Spending Account where the beneficiary has a pot of money to

> purchase personal care attendant services. A few states operated

> these demonstration projects and Texas developed the Voucher Fiscal

> Intermediary program instead and it ended up being Consumer Directed

> Services.

>

> Maybe the state could develop a Cash and Counseling- esque program

> for Autism, where instead of using the funds for personal attendant

> services, you can purchase other things like therapies. Maybe that's

> what we should start telling the agencies and legislatures- to

> authorize a Cash and Counseling pilot project serving kids with

> Autism.

>

> More info on C & C:

> http://www.kaisernetwork.org/health_cast/hcast_index.cfm?

> display=detail & hc=1486

>

> (in your free time- ha!)

>

> Not sure if that's priority no. 1 tho. just a thought.

> angela lello

>

>

>

>

>> > >>>>

>> > >>>> The way I understand it is that MEDICAID will pay for it if

> the

>> > >>> provider accepts MEDICAID.

>> > >>>>

>> > >>>> I am surprised that CLASS does it.

>> > >>>>

>> > >>>>

>> > >>>

>> > >>>

>> > >>> It is amazing how CLASS pays for certain therapy, wish they

> would pay

>> > >>> for the other programs where most of our kids benefit from.

>> > >>> I know out in Austin some have had certain programs paid

> through the

>> > >>> CLASS program but out here in SA, according to the case

> manager it is

>> > >>> out of her region.

>> > >>>

>> > >>> My son's AIT therapy was paid through the CLASS program.

>> > >>> The Auditory Process screening was done at my son's ENT

> doc's office

>> > >>> with the Audiologist who does the screening. Since this is

> at the

>> > >>> ENT's facility, it could be paid through Medicaid or private

> health

>> > >>> insurance, which was in our case.

>> > >>>

>> > >>> Irma

>> > >>>

>> > >>>

>> > >>> ------------------------------------

>> > >>>

>> > >>> Texas Autism Advocacy

>> > >>> www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

>> > >>>

>> > >>> Texas Disability Network

>> > >>> Calendar of Events

>> > >>> www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

[Guest guest]

Yeah, I keep forgetting that....

LOL

bburgell wrote:

You're forgetting that the purpose of the Medicaid Waivers is not to

take care of our children- the purpose is to create a lot of red tape

and employ layers of people to manage the programs. The state of

Texas doesn't trust parents.

Barbara

>

> Yes - something like the Flexible Benefits Plan through employers.

They give you a " spending card " for approved services. You use that

card as you need to, for medical items. The checks and balances is

that you have to mail in documentation of the expenses. If you send

in a receipt that is not for a medical item, they freeze your account

until you repay that back.

>

> Something like that for Medicaid-Waiver programs would be great.

A spending card with a fixed amount on it for the parent to use for

services/supports for their child. You mail in documentation to

prove the service was for the child, etc. If one of your receipts

is like for a vacation in the Bahama's - then your spending account

is frozen, etc.

>

> But that would be practical and efficient and we know the chances

of that happening.....

>

>

>

>

M. Guppy

Autism is a very silent world; but the potential in that world speaks

volumes.... Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to

compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should live

in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education. Everyone

should. We cannot determine who does and who does not get the right to make

their own choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

[Guest guest]

May I ask who is doing the ABA program? Do you have BCABA's or BCBA's? They

are willing to work for the relatively low pay offered by HCS?

Were these individuals those you found or the agency found for you?

That is awesome that it is working for you -- it's actually how it's supposed

to be working for ALL of us!

I would LOVE to find ABA Therapists to work with my son under CLASS provisions

-- my issue is that I simply cannot find anyone, nor anyone willing to do that

for the pay offered.

If you are an ABA Therapist in the Northwest Houston 290/area - you can have

many clients!

Sincerely,

Guppy

wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to post that both of my children are in the HCS program. It

has been a wonderful experience but like anything to do with our children it

does take a lot of work on the parents part too. We have a wonderful

provider and the best case manager that I could ever have hoped for. My

children have been in the program for almost 3 years now and are receiving

services that we could never have been able to afford on our own. We have

just switched over to the consumer directed program for our supportive home

living and respite staff. We were pretty much been doing it this way from

the beginning but now it is official. My children get speech therapy

(currently looking for an OT) and we are also able to have a full ABA

program with them by using our supportive home living hours and having a

wonderful BCBA who is also a psychologist.

I feel very fortunate that our experience has only been positive and I

attribute that to having a dedicated agency with an equally dedicated case

manager.

-- Re: Medicaid Waiver Programs

You're forgetting that the purpose of the Medicaid Waivers is not to

take care of our children- the purpose is to create a lot of red tape

and employ layers of people to manage the programs. The state of

Texas doesn't trust parents.

Barbara

>

> Yes - something like the Flexible Benefits Plan through employers.

They give you a " spending card " for approved services. You use that

card as you need to, for medical items. The checks and balances is

that you have to mail in documentation of the expenses. If you send

in a receipt that is not for a medical item, they freeze your account

until you repay that back.

>

> Something like that for Medicaid-Waiver programs would be great.

A spending card with a fixed amount on it for the parent to use for

services/supports for their child. You mail in documentation to

prove the service was for the child, etc. If one of your receipts

is like for a vacation in the Bahama's - then your spending account

is frozen, etc.

>

> But that would be practical and efficient and we know the chances

of that happening.....

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My children were 5 and 6 when we made it into the HCS program.

We live in county and were very fortunate a few years ago when they

rolled over a few hundred children into the program. My daughter had been on

the waiting list for about 4 years and my son for about 2 1/2.

HCS does not actually support or provide for ABA. It is through the

Supportive Home Living hours that WE CHOOSE to do ABA. I just want to make

that clear. Also the pay scale for supportive home living is generally

nowhere near what an experienced or degreed ABA therapist would make so we

have had to train our staff ourselves. We also work on goals that are

included in my children's IPC with HCS. I really do feel that we maximize

the services that my children receive and use the program as it was intended

(to make a positive impact on the lives of the children and our family & to

allow them to continue to live at home). I only wish that the waiting lists

were not so long as there are so many children and adults who need this

right now!

-- Re: Medicaid Waiver Programs

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your experience with the HCS program.

This is wonderful and very proud that your children are receiving the

supported services.

So are your kids under 18 y/o?

May I ask which city you love out here in Texas?

Definitely have to clone your case manager.

It is great to also read about HCS assisting for the ABA program.

Seems like when we hear about some of the cities are able to get

certain Medicaid Waiver funds to help with certain supported services,

then I approach it here in SA.

The case manager is such in a " duh " stage, will get right back with me

on that, of course this only means, does not have an answer after I

have to constantly be on the phone making sure to get some response.

Yes, you are fortunate, it is a nice experience for you in regards to

the HCS program and many of the agency could learn from yours.

Thanks for sharing.

Irma

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I just wanted to post that both of my children are in the HCS

program. It

> has been a wonderful experience but like anything to do with our

children it

> does take a lot of work on the parents part too. We have a wonderful

> provider and the best case manager that I could ever have hoped for. My

> children have been in the program for almost 3 years now and are

receiving

> services that we could never have been able to afford on our own. We

have

> just switched over to the consumer directed program for our

supportive home

> living and respite staff. We were pretty much been doing it this way

from

> the beginning but now it is official. My children get speech therapy

> (currently looking for an OT) and we are also able to have a full ABA

> program with them by using our supportive home living hours and having a

> wonderful BCBA who is also a psychologist.

>

> I feel very fortunate that our experience has only been positive and I

> attribute that to having a dedicated agency with an equally

dedicated case

> manager.

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

We are doing the ABA program ourselves and do not use an ABA school, clinic

or service.We have a BCBA who is also a Psychologist. You do have to find

someone who will work for the rate that HCS will pay and it also comes under

psychology services. I am not aware of HCS paying for just BCBA services.

Our staff is all people who I have found myself. There are several families

in our area who do ABA programs who are not on the HCS program and they were

helpful in finding therapists. Many have been college students.

-- Re: Medicaid Waiver Programs

You're forgetting that the purpose of the Medicaid Waivers is not to

take care of our children- the purpose is to create a lot of red tape

and employ layers of people to manage the programs. The state of

Texas doesn't trust parents.

Barbara

>

> Yes - something like the Flexible Benefits Plan through employers.

They give you a " spending card " for approved services. You use that

card as you need to, for medical items. The checks and balances is

that you have to mail in documentation of the expenses. If you send

in a receipt that is not for a medical item, they freeze your account

until you repay that back.

>

> Something like that for Medicaid-Waiver programs would be great.

A spending card with a fixed amount on it for the parent to use for

services/supports for their child. You mail in documentation to

prove the service was for the child, etc. If one of your receipts

is like for a vacation in the Bahama's - then your spending account

is frozen, etc.

>

> But that would be practical and efficient and we know the chances

of that happening.....

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

- I had no idea your kids were so young! We just started with the HCS

program after almost 9 years on the waiting list. His actual date of entry

was 1 week before his 18th birthday. We are excited about everything we can

do for him now, and we keep saying what a difference it would have made if

we had all of this available to us when he was younger. I am so thrilled

for you! You are way ahead of the game, even though you may not think so

right now. Anyway, we went with Newstart also, and so far have been very

pleased. Our case manager is Dianne S.; is she yours also? Just curious!

We are amazed at the some of the things that will change for us, especially

since he graduates at the end of May.

And, I will be calling the number on the back of the medicaid letter today

to see about insurance premiums - thanks to everyone on this list for the

good information!

Trish

Re: Medicaid Waiver Programs

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your experience with the HCS program.

This is wonderful and very proud that your children are receiving the

supported services.

So are your kids under 18 y/o?

May I ask which city you love out here in Texas?

Definitely have to clone your case manager.

It is great to also read about HCS assisting for the ABA program.

Seems like when we hear about some of the cities are able to get

certain Medicaid Waiver funds to help with certain supported services,

then I approach it here in SA.

The case manager is such in a " duh " stage, will get right back with me

on that, of course this only means, does not have an answer after I

have to constantly be on the phone making sure to get some response.

Yes, you are fortunate, it is a nice experience for you in regards to

the HCS program and many of the agency could learn from yours.

Thanks for sharing.

Irma

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I just wanted to post that both of my children are in the HCS

program. It

> has been a wonderful experience but like anything to do with our

children it

> does take a lot of work on the parents part too. We have a wonderful

> provider and the best case manager that I could ever have hoped for. My

> children have been in the program for almost 3 years now and are

receiving

> services that we could never have been able to afford on our own. We

have

> just switched over to the consumer directed program for our

supportive home

> living and respite staff. We were pretty much been doing it this way

from

> the beginning but now it is official. My children get speech therapy

> (currently looking for an OT) and we are also able to have a full ABA

> program with them by using our supportive home living hours and having a

> wonderful BCBA who is also a psychologist.

>

> I feel very fortunate that our experience has only been positive and I

> attribute that to having a dedicated agency with an equally

dedicated case

> manager.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Trish,

I am so glad that you made it and went with Newstart too. We love them. Our

case manager is May but I'm sure they all must be very good there.

You will be very happy with all the services. I know how lucky we are that

my children are so young. It has made a huge difference in their lives and

all children who need this should get it at a young age. I really don't know

what we would have done if not for HCS. The improvements they have made are

wonderful. I count the blessings every day.

Take care,

-- Re: Medicaid Waiver Programs

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your experience with the HCS program.

This is wonderful and very proud that your children are receiving the

supported services.

So are your kids under 18 y/o?

May I ask which city you love out here in Texas?

Definitely have to clone your case manager.

It is great to also read about HCS assisting for the ABA program.

Seems like when we hear about some of the cities are able to get

certain Medicaid Waiver funds to help with certain supported services,

then I approach it here in SA.

The case manager is such in a " duh " stage, will get right back with me

on that, of course this only means, does not have an answer after I

have to constantly be on the phone making sure to get some response.

Yes, you are fortunate, it is a nice experience for you in regards to

the HCS program and many of the agency could learn from yours.

Thanks for sharing.

Irma

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I just wanted to post that both of my children are in the HCS

program. It

> has been a wonderful experience but like anything to do with our

children it

> does take a lot of work on the parents part too. We have a wonderful

> provider and the best case manager that I could ever have hoped for. My

> children have been in the program for almost 3 years now and are

receiving

> services that we could never have been able to afford on our own. We

have

> just switched over to the consumer directed program for our

supportive home

> living and respite staff. We were pretty much been doing it this way

from

> the beginning but now it is official. My children get speech therapy

> (currently looking for an OT) and we are also able to have a full ABA

> program with them by using our supportive home living hours and having a

> wonderful BCBA who is also a psychologist.

>

> I feel very fortunate that our experience has only been positive and I

> attribute that to having a dedicated agency with an equally

dedicated case

> manager.

>

>