Category: Medicaid Waiver Programs
We will help you protect your family
With the new environment we find ourselves in, and with all of the uncertainty we have face, you can be comforted in that Filis Law Firm will be available to you.
Here is a letter from Leona E. Filis, founding member.
Dear Valued Clients,
At Filis Law Firm, the safety and well-being of our clients is always a top concern. During this time of crisis, please know that Filis Law Firm is here for you, as we have been for the past 17 years. Although Courts and businesses have limited hours or are completely closed, Filis Law Firm will continue to provide services to meet your needs.
As always, we allow for teleconferences, and now for your convenience, we have added Zoom as an option for video meetings. You can schedule your appointment time online at Calendly https://calendly.com/filislawfirm. If you prefer, you can also communicate with us or forward any information/documentation to us via email at leona@filislaw.com.
You can rely on the Filis Law Firm. Attorney Leona E. Filis understands that under the current circumstances, it is crucial to secure the optimal future for your family. As a result, should you need Estate Planning documents, Filis Law Firm will expedite such services, including Wills, Power of Attorneys, and Special Needs Trusts. If you are in need of Guardianship services, we can begin the Guardianship process by preparing and filing the initial legal documents. When the Harris County courts are fully operational, we can schedule a hearing date, or have a video hearing.
The Filis Law Firm team is dedicated to supporting you through this unprecedented time. Please stay safe and know that you can count on us.
Leona E. Filis
Owner
and Managing Attorney
I Was On a PODCAST!
Wow! I was interviewed on the Adriana Beasley podcast “Conversations That Inspire” talking about Legal Life Planning. Many families with children with special needs have experiences that are similar to mine and to Adriana’s. Even though it seems as though so much of your life is out of your control, you do have the power to set your family’s course for the future with legal life planning. If you have a child with special needs who is approaching adulthood, now is the time to contact Filis Law Firm for a free 30-minute consultation about Guardianship, SDMAs, Special Needs Trusts, and other legal documents to protect your family’s future.
Study Up on THHSC Programs That Support Individuals with Special Needs
For all the new parents of babies and toddlers diagnosed with chronic illness or a disability such as Autism, one of the first things you should do is sign your child up for support and services with your State and local authority. Years ago, for my child, I contacted the Department of Aging and Disabilities (DADS, now see Texas Health and Human Services Commission) and Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority (MHMRA, now known as Harris Center).
Client Education
My first reaction to receiving information about the Interest Lists for Medicaid Waiver Programs was one of disappointment.
I was certain that my household income would disqualify my son for benefits. I was wrong. The requirement for low or no income that you typically associate with Medicaid is waived for most of these programs.
If you have not already done so, please call 1-877-438-5658 to add your child to the Medically Dependent Children’s Program (MDCD) and Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Interest Lists.
For those of our parents whose kids have spent a couple of days in a nursing facility, and is medically fragile, you may wish to look into the MDCP Rider 28 if your child is returning home. Talk to your child’s doctor about Form 2406, Physician Recommendation for Length of Stay in a Nursing Facility.
For more information, contact The Filis Law Firm at 713-462-1777 or search for Medicaid Waiver Programs on the Houston Special Needs Attorneys website.
The Embracing Diversity Radio Show and $1000 Scholarships
Thank you Radio Da Bang and Ms. Thelma Scott!
I will be co-hosting with Ms. Scott once a month leading up to the fabulous 5th Annual Unique Blue Carpet Scholarship Awards Gala May 3, 2019. We are trying to get funds to high school students to enable them to go to college.
If you know a high school senior who wants an opportunity to earn a $1000 scholarship, tune in to the Embracing Diversity Radio Show at 99.5FM or or click this link for more information on the S.A.F.E. Diversity Communities website.
Tired of Being Denied Government Services – Sign Your Child Up For Medicaid Waiver Programs
Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities (“DADS”) was the agency that, for many years, parents with children with disabilities reached out to for government assistance of support and services. Texas programs were administered by DADS until its abolition on September 1, 2017.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (“HHS”) is now charged with protecting vulnerable Texans. HHS administers programs formally serviced by DADS, including:
Community Living Assistance and Support Services (“CLASS“)
Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (“DBMD“)
Home and Community-based Services (“HCS“)
Medically Dependent Children’s Program (“MDCP“)
A common complaint I hear from parents who are in search of help from the government is that their family fails to qualify for support due to household income. Although income is not necessarily a factor for eligibility for benefits from these Medicaid Waiver programs, waiting on an interest list for can take years.
As of July 31, 2017, tens of thousand of Texans are on interest lists. HCS has 86,989 people on its interest list, CLASS has 61,926 people on its interest list, and MDPC has 18,867 people on its interest lists. Parents should contact HHS and their local benefits provider, such as the Harris Center, to begin the application process.
https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/records-statistics/interest-list-reduction
More Children in Need, Less Resources?
Although the Center for Disease Control issued their assessment in 2014 that 1 in 68 school-aged children are on the Autism spectrum, federal funding for the care of these Americans is in jeopardy. A person diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or diagnosed with any of the many other related conditions may qualify to receive disability-related Medicaid benefits.
Analysis from Avalere predicts that Medicaid, which provides supports and services to disabled children and adults, could see a reduction funding of up to $215 billion should the Graham-Cassidy bill be passed.
Three Republican senators and all Democratic senators vowed to vote against the latest attempt to repeal and replace the ACA, stalling the vote. The effort to change healthcare laws is not over. Parents and advocates of children and adults with special needs must get educated and involved in the healthcare debate. The Affordable Care Act has many problems that need to be addressed, but if you or a loved one is the recipient of Medicaid benefits, speak out to block a disaster and offer a solution.
Temporary Extension of Medicaid for Certain IDD Waiver Program Recipients
Parents of Children with Special Needs –
Once your child with special needs comes off a Medicaid Waiver Program list, or becomes eligible for SSI on his or her own, it is of great importance to keep your child’s eligibility for benefits. If SSI is denied or lost, so is Medicaid.
Under certain circumstances, a SSI and Medicaid recipient who loses such benefits may be allowed to temporarily continue to be Medicaid eligible.
To review eligibility terms, click
and
Estate Planning Seminar March 11th
Good morning! We are getting ready for our joint presentation with Blake Douglas.
Estate Planning – whether you are a college student or grandparent, there are legal documents to assist you and your loved ones in stressful times of need.
Thank you Barbara Pardue for the fabulous Facebook event design.
https://www.facebook.com/events/794520557363555/
See you at the office building 5600 NW Central Drive – large conference room on the 1st floor at 2 pm.
Changes to Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
Many parents with children with special needs rely on the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) for Medicaid Wavier Programs and other supports and services. A timeline of changes is provided below.
The Texas legislature approved and passed Senate Bill 200, making it law last summer, but what does that mean for DADS? In the 1st phase, Texas Health and Human Services Center (HHSC) will have transferred to its control select function of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), client services of the DADS and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). and administrative services of the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) system, set for September 1, 2016.
Further, DARS is scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2016.
The 2nd Phase includes the abolishment of DADS September 1, 2017.
For more information of the transformation of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, click on the link below.
http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/hhs-transformation/docs/transition-plan.pdf