How do I get DDS waiver program to work for my daughter?

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I am Candy, new to this group, has a 6 years old daughter with

Autism, still non-verbal. I have been working on her speech for

quite a while, she has little but steady progress.

I am eager to find out how to get DDS waiver program to work for us.

OR maybe called Medicaid Waiver program? I got a referral from the

local regional center (SARC) and got approved by MediCal (California

Insurance) but never know how to get them to work for me. We had

company insurance before so they pick up most of the speech lesson

charges. Unfortunately my husband is out of job right now. It is

very important to get coverage and payment from MeciCal but I don't

know how. I ask social worker in the local MediCal office, they

don't even know about this program. From them, I got billing office

info but billing office still can not give me any informaion. They

dealt with the doctor's office directly. The doctor, in this case

the pathologist, has to bill the insurance company themselves and if

it's MediCal, the doctor is only allowed to be paid a certain amount

($45 an hour?)and not allowed to get the balance from patient. Will

I risk to pay my daughter's speech pathologist minimum and loss her?

No way. That's why I always pay out of pocket and choose not to deal

with MediCal. Even When we did have company group insurance, I would

have to pay the pathlogist first and get a portion back through

reimbursement because the pathologist don't deal with insurance

herself. Now since there is no job, no insurance, the MediCal

coverage become very important.

Does anyone know about how to get it to work? Any input is

appreciated. Thank you for taking the time reading this mail.

Candy