No, I did not win Lotto or Top HealthBlogger, yet.
Do you remember when I complained about all that therapy homework? Sure you do, because I know you live to hang on my every word. (HaHa.) So yesterday I figured out the way of the Universe - the hard way.
This is how it goes:
I complain about something random like say, homework, and BOOM bad stuff happens. I complain about REAL things like I need a bigger car or more sleep and the Universe responds with Nothing, Nada, Zilch, Zippo. Thanks, Universe!
So it turns out that after all the trouble I went through to get a good schedule worked out Austin will likely be getting discharged from Regional Center services such as OT (feeding therapy), PT (Physical Therapy) and Speech. Well, technically he is not getting cut from Speech because they never started it...but that is another story.
For days, weeks, nay months I have sung the praises of Early Intervention and how much it has helped Austin. I created video montages showing his progress and this is the thanks I get?
Regional Center informed my yesterday that Austin will likely be cut from the program for OT, PT and Speech services. Um, seriously...Deaf kids cut from Speech? Niice.
The reason: Effective July 1st a LAW was passed in CA that RC cannot provide these services for Infants & Children. Thank you Governator for a job well done!
Can I SCREAM NOW??? DEEEEP Breaths!
It has now been mandated that our "Private" insurance cover these services. Um, bad plan. Austin's insurance is Medi-Cal, which is another cash strapped State funded program. How does this make ANY sense?
So next Tuesday, at 10:00 AM I have an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) Meeting set up with Austin's RC coordinator, DHH teacher, Occupational Therapist and possibly the Physical Therapist, as well. Do you think if I offer bagels & cream cheese they will let him stay in the program?
The one thing we have going for us is that, in all likelihood, his insurance will send us a BIG.FAT.DENIAL for the above mentioned services. This may eventually work in our favor, as then RC will be forced to put him back in their rotation. But not without first punishing us for having crappy insurance, by cutting down his services from once per week to twice a month or something crazy like that.
So Universe, I have decided that I LOVE homework and promise not to complain (loudly) anymore if you just fix this!
Thanks for peeking,
5 Peekers:
Im so so sorry. I have only dealt with my side of insurance. I have never seen it in this light and how it can mess up lives in this manner. I cant stand insurance companies sometimes. I reside in CA too and am not happy with some of the decisions that the state is making. Its affecting all the people. Ill say a prayer for you that things get back on track.
Oh man, that is awful. I'll be thinking of you. I hope that the claim is approved or denied quickly at least
I'm new to your blog and looking forward to catching up. I can't believe that I stumbled upon you today, as I've contemplated my own life with a child with disabilities whose services are being cut through our regional center. I keep wondering why "they" can't just leave these children and seniors OUT of the budget.
So they passed a law to deny services at a young age? That is just crazy. Here in TX our ECI stops caring for patients at the age of 3 but the public school system is suppose to pick them up. Although the school system therapy completely STINKS. Thank God Gabby is classified as disabled in the states eyes and therefore gets SSI with comes with Medicaid. So her doctor is able to schedule her with therapy outside the school as well. Such a long rocky road, isn't it?
Oh please tell me this isn't true. I know I'm a year behind on your post...came across this while searching over your blog. We're meeting with the county (which I guess is the same as the RC?) tomorrow for my son's final evaluation for speech/language services. He's 16 months. Sounds like from what you've written that it's a futile visit because he won't be getting them! Ugh! Doesn't our governor know that private speech therapists don't take insurance?! How did it end up working out for you? Did the RC take you back?
And seriously, how can they call themselves birth to age 3 services if they cut all that out?
We Love Your Comments