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DARS Seeks Recommendations at Public Hearings on ECI Family Cost ShareThe Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECI) is reviewing its family cost-share policies due to implementation challenges such as increasing need, limited funding, and changes in community resources for families.Family cost share is a fee paid by families for certain DARS/ECI services when private or public insurance does not pay. The fee is based on a sliding scale and determined by the family’s income and other factors. DARS/ECI is soliciting early public input regarding revising policy for how families help pay for these services. Any changes in family cost share for DARS/ECI services should be equitable, consistent, and cost effective. All areas of family cost share are open for input; however, specific topics for comment include: * Collecting co-pays, deductibles, and/or co-insurance as required by insurance plans when billing insurance for services. * Eliminating the option for a six-month waiver that allows DARS/ECI programs to waive family cost-share fees if the family consents to allow their private insurance to be billed. Input is requested on other methods to encourage the use of private insurance and other alternative health payment methods. * Revising the sliding scale family cost-share system to: -Require verification of income if family wants to qualify for the sliding-scale fee; -Simplify the sliding-scale fee by reducing the number of categories; * Change the sliding-scale fee from a monthly fee to a per-service fee. To facilitate widespread public participation, DARS/ECI will hold hearings around the state, and members of the public also may submit comments in writing. All hearings will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Persons requiring special accommodations should call the DARS Inquiries Line at 1-800-628-5115, TDD/TTY 1-866-581-9328, or email their request to DARS.Inquiries@dars.state.tx.us at least 72 hours before the public hearing. Hearing dates and locations are: November 9, 2009 Garland, Texas Garland ISD Special Events Center 4999 Naaman Forest Blvd. Garland, Texas November 10, 2009 Katy, Texas Morton Ranch High School 2100 Franz Road Katy, Texas November 12, 2009 Lubbock Texas Lubbock ISD Administration Offices East Building Jay Gordon Room 1628 19th St. Lubbock, Texas November 13, 2009 Nacogdoches, Texas Stephen F. Austin University Multi-Media Room #2.106 1936 North St. Nacogdoches, Texas November 16, 2009 Corpus Christi, Texas Education Service Center Region 2 Room 323 209 North Water St. Corpus Christi, Texas Written comments may be emailed by November 30, 2009, to ECI.Policy@dars.state.tx.us or mailed to: Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Division for Early Childhood Intervention Services 4900 N. Lamar, MC 3029 Austin, Texas 78751-2399 The links listed below provide additional information regarding Family Cost Share. http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/fcsfactsheet.shtml http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/FCSFeeScale.pdf http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/publications/FamilyCostShare.pdf |
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