Re: MHMRA's being fee-based

[Guest guest]

You are absolutely right, .

Guppy wrote: Nope - I'm afraid MHMRA's ARE

income based.

They are allowed to charge a co-pay for services. Which is RIDICULOUS because

mine was 70% -- now tell me -- if I could AFFORD to pay THEM 70% - why would I

NEED THEIR SERVICES?????

If the child is under 18 and living at home with the parents - the PARENTS

fill out an income eligibility assessment - and they ARE charged based on a

sliding scale.

So if you're middle-income like us - you slide right off any chance of help!

That fee based co-pay was a result of last Legislative session (or the one

before) -- so PLEASE - EVERYONE - write your congressmen about that!

If you do qualify for no fee - then yes - there is also a waiting list in most

cases.

, Steve, anyone else -- correct me if I'm incorrect!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Guppy

Levine wrote:

MHMR services should not be income based, just the child's income which

should be nothing.

You may want to check again. I am sure there is a waiting list though

M. Guppy - " God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much

love we do it. "

What we do for ourselves lasts only a moment; but what we do for others ~

lasts a lifetime...

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!

Listowner & Facilitator of: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

[Guest guest]

Hi , you ARE correct, that's what our experience was also.

The fee is sliding scale based on a family's income, and at some

point the family would just be paying the " full retail " rate out-of-

pocket.

Anita

-- In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , Guppy

wrote:

>

> Nope - I'm afraid MHMRA's ARE income based.

> They are allowed to charge a co-pay for services. Which is

RIDICULOUS because mine was 70% -- now tell me -- if I could AFFORD

to pay THEM 70% - why would I NEED THEIR SERVICES?????

>

> If the child is under 18 and living at home with the parents -

the PARENTS fill out an income eligibility assessment - and they ARE

charged based on a sliding scale.

>

> So if you're middle-income like us - you slide right off any

chance of help!

>

> That fee based co-pay was a result of last Legislative session

(or the one before) -- so PLEASE - EVERYONE - write your congressmen

about that!

>

> If you do qualify for no fee - then yes - there is also a waiting

list in most cases.

>

> , Steve, anyone else -- correct me if I'm incorrect!!!!!!!

>

> Sincerely,

> Guppy

>

> Levine wrote:

> MHMR services should not be income based, just the child's income

which should be nothing. You may want to check again. I am sure

there is a waiting list though>

>

> M. Guppy - " God doesn't look at how much we do, but with

how much love we do it. "

> What we do for ourselves lasts only a moment; but what we do for

others ~ lasts a lifetime...

> Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your

God is!

> Listowner & Facilitator of: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We need to have a huge writing campaign. I heard last night on the news that

they have just discovered that Texas has something like an 8 billion dollar

SURPLUS and they are trying to decide what to do with the money and are even

considering returning some of it to the taxpayers. This is ridiculous. They

can't figure out how to finance our schools, but they are going to return

Billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Not millions, BILLIONS. There should

BE no waiting lists, our schools should HAVE funding.

Grrr!

Anne

-- MHMRA's being fee-based

Nope - I'm afraid MHMRA's ARE income based.

They are allowed to charge a co-pay for services. Which is RIDICULOUS

because mine was 70% -- now tell me -- if I could AFFORD to pay THEM 70% -

why would I NEED THEIR SERVICES?????

If the child is under 18 and living at home with the parents - the PARENTS

fill out an income eligibility assessment - and they ARE charged based on a

sliding scale.

So if you're middle-income like us - you slide right off any chance of

help!

That fee based co-pay was a result of last Legislative session (or the one

before) -- so PLEASE - EVERYONE - write your congressmen about that!

If you do qualify for no fee - then yes - there is also a waiting list in

most cases.

, Steve, anyone else -- correct me if I'm incorrect!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Guppy

Levine wrote:

MHMR services should not be income based, just the child's income which

should be nothing.

You may want to check again. I am sure there is a waiting list though

M. Guppy - " God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much

love we do it. "

What we do for ourselves lasts only a moment; but what we do for others ~

lasts a lifetime...

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!

Listowner & Facilitator of: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

[Guest guest]

I just wrote to the governor's office and DADS about our situation- waiting

lists, no help from various agencies... I got the standard reply, of course.

They recommended that I contact MHMR for services (ha ha ha) and oh, yeah,

" sorry the waiting lists are so long " . I am writing a response addressing the

lack of substance in their replies and demanding that they actually do something

instead of apologizing to us for not doing anything.

Why is BTTC's outreach ABA program as expensive as private clinics? Why do we

have to pay for MHMR services out of pocket? Why can't we access community

based programs until our children are adults? Why are there waiting lists at

all?????

I know that most of us don't exactly have free time to write letters all the

time, but it would be to our benefit to be " squeaky wheels " . I try to write at

least once a month to as many agencies as I can, but I don't always find the

time. You're right Anne, we should all try to be more vocal.

Anne wrote:

We need to have a huge writing campaign. I heard last night on the news that

they have just discovered that Texas has something like an 8 billion dollar

SURPLUS and they are trying to decide what to do with the money and are even

considering returning some of it to the taxpayers. This is ridiculous. They

can't figure out how to finance our schools, but they are going to return

Billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Not millions, BILLIONS. There should

BE no waiting lists, our schools should HAVE funding.

Grrr!

Anne

-- MHMRA's being fee-based

Nope - I'm afraid MHMRA's ARE income based.

They are allowed to charge a co-pay for services. Which is RIDICULOUS

because mine was 70% -- now tell me -- if I could AFFORD to pay THEM 70% -

why would I NEED THEIR SERVICES?????

If the child is under 18 and living at home with the parents - the PARENTS

fill out an income eligibility assessment - and they ARE charged based on a

sliding scale.

So if you're middle-income like us - you slide right off any chance of

help!

That fee based co-pay was a result of last Legislative session (or the one

before) -- so PLEASE - EVERYONE - write your congressmen about that!

If you do qualify for no fee - then yes - there is also a waiting list in

most cases.

, Steve, anyone else -- correct me if I'm incorrect!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Guppy

Levine wrote:

MHMR services should not be income based, just the child's income which

should be nothing.

You may want to check again. I am sure there is a waiting list though

M. Guppy - " God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much

love we do it. "

What we do for ourselves lasts only a moment; but what we do for others ~

lasts a lifetime...

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!

Listowner & Facilitator of: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

[Guest guest]

Thank you to all who are writing....

It does take a few moments to compose your thoughts - but it is worth it.

When they write back with standard replies and suggestions to call agencies --

that is a GREAT time to write to them AGAIN and re-state your point that you DID

and because of the legislation THEY passed - you are not able to get the help

your child needs.

A BIG factor to point out that is IF you gave your child up to a state school

or institution, you COULD get the help you needed regardless of income.

CONTINUE to press the issue of COMMUNITY based services and supports now. It

is better for the family, the community, the taxpayers, etc.

It is much more cost effective to help families in the home.

Those of us who have been denied MRA/MHMRA help because of income - especially

need to write their stories about that and send them in.

Include a picture of the child you are referring to. Include a FAMILY

picture. Let them see the VOTING MEMBERS of their constituency (ok I know I

spelled that wrong - it's 8 BC - Before Coffee)

Sincerely,

Guppy

Aliza Ratterree wrote:

I just wrote to the governor's office and DADS about our situation- waiting

lists, no help from various agencies... I got the standard reply, of course.

They recommended that I contact MHMR for services (ha ha ha) and oh, yeah,

" sorry the waiting lists are so long " . I am writing a response addressing the

lack of substance in their replies and demanding that they actually do something

instead of apologizing to us for not doing anything.

Why is BTTC's outreach ABA program as expensive as private clinics? Why do we

have to pay for MHMR services out of pocket? Why can't we access community

based programs until our children are adults? Why are there waiting lists at

all?????

I know that most of us don't exactly have free time to write letters all the

time, but it would be to our benefit to be " squeaky wheels " . I try to write at

least once a month to as many agencies as I can, but I don't always find the

time. You're right Anne, we should all try to be more vocal.

Anne wrote:

We need to have a huge writing campaign. I heard last night on the news that

they have just discovered that Texas has something like an 8 billion dollar

SURPLUS and they are trying to decide what to do with the money and are even

considering returning some of it to the taxpayers. This is ridiculous. They

can't figure out how to finance our schools, but they are going to return

Billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Not millions, BILLIONS. There should

BE no waiting lists, our schools should HAVE funding.

Grrr!

Anne

-- MHMRA's being fee-based

Nope - I'm afraid MHMRA's ARE income based.

They are allowed to charge a co-pay for services. Which is RIDICULOUS

because mine was 70% -- now tell me -- if I could AFFORD to pay THEM 70% -

why would I NEED THEIR SERVICES?????

If the child is under 18 and living at home with the parents - the PARENTS

fill out an income eligibility assessment - and they ARE charged based on a

sliding scale.

So if you're middle-income like us - you slide right off any chance of

help!

That fee based co-pay was a result of last Legislative session (or the one

before) -- so PLEASE - EVERYONE - write your congressmen about that!

If you do qualify for no fee - then yes - there is also a waiting list in

most cases.

, Steve, anyone else -- correct me if I'm incorrect!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Guppy

Levine wrote:

MHMR services should not be income based, just the child's income which

should be nothing.

You may want to check again. I am sure there is a waiting list though

M. Guppy - " God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much

love we do it. "

What we do for ourselves lasts only a moment; but what we do for others ~

lasts a lifetime...

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!

Listowner & Facilitator of: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

[Guest guest]

ALSO- Cost factor analysis that helping our children NOW is significantly less

expensive than providing institutionalization later.

Guppy wrote: Thank you to all who are

writing....

It does take a few moments to compose your thoughts - but it is worth it.

When they write back with standard replies and suggestions to call agencies --

that is a GREAT time to write to them AGAIN and re-state your point that you DID

and because of the legislation THEY passed - you are not able to get the help

your child needs.

A BIG factor to point out that is IF you gave your child up to a state school

or institution, you COULD get the help you needed regardless of income.

CONTINUE to press the issue of COMMUNITY based services and supports now. It

is better for the family, the community, the taxpayers, etc.

It is much more cost effective to help families in the home.

Those of us who have been denied MRA/MHMRA help because of income - especially

need to write their stories about that and send them in.

Include a picture of the child you are referring to. Include a FAMILY

picture. Let them see the VOTING MEMBERS of their constituency (ok I know I

spelled that wrong - it's 8 BC - Before Coffee)

Sincerely,

Guppy

Aliza Ratterree wrote:

I just wrote to the governor's office and DADS about our situation- waiting

lists, no help from various agencies... I got the standard reply, of course.

They recommended that I contact MHMR for services (ha ha ha) and oh, yeah,

" sorry the waiting lists are so long " . I am writing a response addressing the

lack of substance in their replies and demanding that they actually do something

instead of apologizing to us for not doing anything.

Why is BTTC's outreach ABA program as expensive as private clinics? Why do we

have to pay for MHMR services out of pocket? Why can't we access community

based programs until our children are adults? Why are there waiting lists at

all?????

I know that most of us don't exactly have free time to write letters all the

time, but it would be to our benefit to be " squeaky wheels " . I try to write at

least once a month to as many agencies as I can, but I don't always find the

time. You're right Anne, we should all try to be more vocal.

Anne wrote:

We need to have a huge writing campaign. I heard last night on the news that

they have just discovered that Texas has something like an 8 billion dollar

SURPLUS and they are trying to decide what to do with the money and are even

considering returning some of it to the taxpayers. This is ridiculous. They

can't figure out how to finance our schools, but they are going to return

Billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Not millions, BILLIONS. There should

BE no waiting lists, our schools should HAVE funding.

Grrr!

Anne

-- MHMRA's being fee-based

Nope - I'm afraid MHMRA's ARE income based.

They are allowed to charge a co-pay for services. Which is RIDICULOUS

because mine was 70% -- now tell me -- if I could AFFORD to pay THEM 70% -

why would I NEED THEIR SERVICES?????

If the child is under 18 and living at home with the parents - the PARENTS

fill out an income eligibility assessment - and they ARE charged based on a

sliding scale.

So if you're middle-income like us - you slide right off any chance of

help!

That fee based co-pay was a result of last Legislative session (or the one

before) -- so PLEASE - EVERYONE - write your congressmen about that!

If you do qualify for no fee - then yes - there is also a waiting list in

most cases.

, Steve, anyone else -- correct me if I'm incorrect!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Guppy

Levine wrote:

MHMR services should not be income based, just the child's income which

should be nothing.

You may want to check again. I am sure there is a waiting list though

M. Guppy - " God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much

love we do it. "

What we do for ourselves lasts only a moment; but what we do for others ~

lasts a lifetime...

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!

Listowner & Facilitator of: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

[Guest guest]

ALSO- Cost factor analysis that helping our children NOW is significantly less

expensive than providing institutionalization later.

Guppy wrote: Thank you to all who are

writing....

It does take a few moments to compose your thoughts - but it is worth it.

When they write back with standard replies and suggestions to call agencies --

that is a GREAT time to write to them AGAIN and re-state your point that you DID

and because of the legislation THEY passed - you are not able to get the help

your child needs.

A BIG factor to point out that is IF you gave your child up to a state school

or institution, you COULD get the help you needed regardless of income.

CONTINUE to press the issue of COMMUNITY based services and supports now. It

is better for the family, the community, the taxpayers, etc.

It is much more cost effective to help families in the home.

Those of us who have been denied MRA/MHMRA help because of income - especially

need to write their stories about that and send them in.

Include a picture of the child you are referring to. Include a FAMILY

picture. Let them see the VOTING MEMBERS of their constituency (ok I know I

spelled that wrong - it's 8 BC - Before Coffee)

Sincerely,

Guppy

Aliza Ratterree wrote:

I just wrote to the governor's office and DADS about our situation- waiting

lists, no help from various agencies... I got the standard reply, of course.

They recommended that I contact MHMR for services (ha ha ha) and oh, yeah,

" sorry the waiting lists are so long " . I am writing a response addressing the

lack of substance in their replies and demanding that they actually do something

instead of apologizing to us for not doing anything.

Why is BTTC's outreach ABA program as expensive as private clinics? Why do we

have to pay for MHMR services out of pocket? Why can't we access community

based programs until our children are adults? Why are there waiting lists at

all?????

I know that most of us don't exactly have free time to write letters all the

time, but it would be to our benefit to be " squeaky wheels " . I try to write at

least once a month to as many agencies as I can, but I don't always find the

time. You're right Anne, we should all try to be more vocal.

Anne wrote:

We need to have a huge writing campaign. I heard last night on the news that

they have just discovered that Texas has something like an 8 billion dollar

SURPLUS and they are trying to decide what to do with the money and are even

considering returning some of it to the taxpayers. This is ridiculous. They

can't figure out how to finance our schools, but they are going to return

Billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Not millions, BILLIONS. There should

BE no waiting lists, our schools should HAVE funding.

Grrr!

Anne

-- MHMRA's being fee-based

Nope - I'm afraid MHMRA's ARE income based.

They are allowed to charge a co-pay for services. Which is RIDICULOUS

because mine was 70% -- now tell me -- if I could AFFORD to pay THEM 70% -

why would I NEED THEIR SERVICES?????

If the child is under 18 and living at home with the parents - the PARENTS

fill out an income eligibility assessment - and they ARE charged based on a

sliding scale.

So if you're middle-income like us - you slide right off any chance of

help!

That fee based co-pay was a result of last Legislative session (or the one

before) -- so PLEASE - EVERYONE - write your congressmen about that!

If you do qualify for no fee - then yes - there is also a waiting list in

most cases.

, Steve, anyone else -- correct me if I'm incorrect!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Guppy

Levine wrote:

MHMR services should not be income based, just the child's income which

should be nothing.

You may want to check again. I am sure there is a waiting list though

M. Guppy - " God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much

love we do it. "

What we do for ourselves lasts only a moment; but what we do for others ~

lasts a lifetime...

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!

Listowner & Facilitator of: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/20/2006 4:26:37 P.M. Central Standard Time,

lisa@... writes:

We did our intake about a month ago. Our co-pay was going to be 200 per

month. I told them that we should just walk out now because we couldn't afford

it. She asked how much I could afford. I told her zero. She said how

about $10 per month per boy.

I didn't realize that a government agency was in a position of negotiating

pricing? How very interesting.

[Guest guest]

We did our intake about a month ago. Our co-pay was going to be 200 per month.

I told them that we should just walk out now because we couldn't afford it. She

asked how much I could afford. I told her zero. She said how about $10 per

month per boy. I told her I could do that.

Re: MHMRA's being fee-based

You are absolutely right, .

Guppy wrote: Nope - I'm afraid MHMRA's

ARE income based.

They are allowed to charge a co-pay for services. Which is RIDICULOUS

because mine was 70% -- now tell me -- if I could AFFORD to pay THEM 70% - why

would I NEED THEIR SERVICES?????

If the child is under 18 and living at home with the parents - the PARENTS

fill out an income eligibility assessment - and they ARE charged based on a

sliding scale.

So if you're middle-income like us - you slide right off any chance of help!

That fee based co-pay was a result of last Legislative session (or the one

before) -- so PLEASE - EVERYONE - write your congressmen about that!

If you do qualify for no fee - then yes - there is also a waiting list in

most cases.

, Steve, anyone else -- correct me if I'm incorrect!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Guppy

Levine wrote:

MHMR services should not be income based, just the child's income which

should be nothing.

You may want to check again. I am sure there is a waiting list though

M. Guppy - " God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much

love we do it. "

What we do for ourselves lasts only a moment; but what we do for others ~

lasts a lifetime...

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!

Listowner & Facilitator of: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

[Guest guest]

Oh, yes. We negotiated for ABA hours for our son. It took about two months for

us to nail out the details. You'd think we were haggling over a used car.

kgreeceman@... wrote:

In a message dated 4/20/2006 4:26:37 P.M. Central Standard Time,

lisa@... writes:

We did our intake about a month ago. Our co-pay was going to be 200 per

month. I told them that we should just walk out now because we couldn't afford

it. She asked how much I could afford. I told her zero. She said how

about $10 per month per boy.

I didn't realize that a government agency was in a position of negotiating

pricing? How very interesting.

[Guest guest]

Negotiating with MHMR!! .That's a new one for me. i guess There is still a

lot I don't about in the world of Autism.

Re: MHMRA's being fee-based

> Oh, yes. We negotiated for ABA hours for our son. It took about two

> months for us to nail out the details. You'd think we were haggling over

> a used car.

>

> kgreeceman@... wrote:

> In a message dated 4/20/2006 4:26:37 P.M. Central Standard Time,

> lisa@... writes:

>

> We did our intake about a month ago. Our co-pay was going to be 200 per

> month. I told them that we should just walk out now because we couldn't

> afford

> it. She asked how much I could afford. I told her zero. She said how

> about $10 per month per boy.

>

>

> I didn't realize that a government agency was in a position of

> negotiating

> pricing? How very interesting.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know if they'll do that now... it was a few years ago.

ginam wrote: Negotiating with MHMR!! .That's a new one

for me. i guess There is still a

lot I don't about in the world of Autism.

Re: MHMRA's being fee-based

> Oh, yes. We negotiated for ABA hours for our son. It took about two

> months for us to nail out the details. You'd think we were haggling over

> a used car.

>

> kgreeceman@... wrote:

> In a message dated 4/20/2006 4:26:37 P.M. Central Standard Time,

> lisa@... writes:

>

> We did our intake about a month ago. Our co-pay was going to be 200 per

> month. I told them that we should just walk out now because we couldn't

> afford

> it. She asked how much I could afford. I told her zero. She said how

> about $10 per month per boy.

>

>

> I didn't realize that a government agency was in a position of

> negotiating

> pricing? How very interesting.

>

>

>