EI is unaffordable for many in NJ now..who else pays?

In NJ, we were just bamboozled with a new cost share pricing. Bamboozled because it increased as much as 10X what we were paying. This was just sprung on us, last week and we have until Jan 31 to make all changes in services. We are now in the position, as many of the families I know, to cut services. Services our kids NEED! They are charging us PER session now, and the amount has increased, as I said. My Service Coordinator had a family paying $100 per month for EI and are now being charged almost $1000! I dont know the facts behind it. But, ours is going up to the point that we can not pay it. Therefore, we have to cut back or cut it out altogether. It is a crime and disgusting and unacceptable. Logan does not deserve to be part of some political game.
Its NJ though and sadly they will find a way to screw you every chance they get (sorry to be blunt)

I am writing to our local newspapers, politicians, school district (who will eventually end up getting more 3 year olds because parents like me can't afford EI now), and the states main talk radio station, which is very influential on our state.

What I need to know is: what other states pay? I know the list is small..but please tell me if you are one of them.

THANKS!

 

In NJ, we were just bamboozled with a new cost share pricing. Bamboozled because it increased as much as 10X what we were paying. This was just sprung on us, last week and we have until Jan 31 to make all changes in services. We are now in the position, as many of the families I know, to cut services. Services our kids NEED! They are charging us PER session now, and the amount has increased, as I said. My Service Coordinator had a family paying $100 per month for EI and are now being charged almost $1000! I dont know the facts behind it. But, ours is going up to the point that we can not pay it. Therefore, we have to cut back or cut it out altogether. It is a crime and disgusting and unacceptable. Logan does not deserve to be part of some political game.
Its NJ though and sadly they will find a way to screw you every chance they get (sorry to be blunt)

I am writing to our local newspapers, politicians, school district (who will eventually end up getting more 3 year olds because parents like me can't afford EI now), and the states main talk radio station, which is very influential on our state.

What I need to know is: what other states pay? I know the list is small..but please tell me if you are one of them.

THANKS!

 

I don't pay a thing. Go New York!

 

I've never paid a cent! Yeah West Virginia! Boo New Jersey

 

In Illinois we pay a family service fee (or maybe its just goes by county, I'm not sure). Its based on what your household makes. You pay one fee no matter how many services you get or how many children get them. We are at the top of their scale for household income and pay $200/month. Its definately a discount, both my girls get PT and ST once a week and Nutrition once a month, I've seen the bills and they total almost $1500 a month, I can't even imagine paying that let alone $1000!!!!

Here in IL, once they turn 3 they age out of EI and go thru the school district and I don't know if there are any fees associated with that.

Good Luck!

 

UGH that stinks!! Does your insurance policy allow any therapy visits?

I am in NY throughout EI our services were free they could bill our insurace to try to collect but it was not to affect the childs insurance annual cap on visits. Nathan aged out of EI but school district pays for all his services now.

 

Here in MO., it used to be free until out lovely new Gov. decided to get rid of the program. There was such an uproar that he decided to reduce funding instead and make the parents pay a certain amount. Luckily, it isn't alot. It is based on your income. We are pretty high on the income scale but only pay $27.00 a month for both girls. That's really cheap. They also bill our insurance company so I'm not sure how much they get through the insurance.

It really is horrible when politics ruin such great programs that help our children.

 

i know there is a family cost sharing plan but we've never had to pay anything for EI here in TX. when we did our last assessment we made so little that we didn't have to pay. they SAY they bill my insur, but i've never gotten an EOB from my insur or seen a claim. that is really awful about the increase. i know that these things cost money and soemtimes an increase is probably important, but not at the expense of children

 

That's horrible. Where is all the money from the casinos and lottery going? I thought it was to fund education in which EI services falls under. New Jersey should have tons of money to fund it.

 

Actually, there are so many kids in NJ receiving services that they are having a hard time getting enough therapist, let alone paying people for it. I haven't heard about the change though. I found this about the pay scale, but it doesn't talk about paying per visit. I have found that many times in NJ ideas are talked about as facts when they are rumors. Also, I have a few friends whose children receive EI and haven't said anything, I will ask them though.

Once they hit age 3, it is free, since services are then through the local school district--well, sort of free, you do pay taxes that support the schools.

 

In MA our insurance is billed and whatever they don't cover is paid by the state. We paid a $25/child enrollment fee, based on our income. I think that was supposed to be a yearly fee, but we haven't been billed again and we're well into our second year.

I can't imagine having to choose between services based on the cost!

Good luck!

-Rachel

 

OK is free

 

sharon, sorry to burst the bubble but the truth is, that this is NOT a rumor. I have my letter, want to see it? So do many other families I know. There is not a shortage of therapist where I live (cental part of the state), but yes, there are ALOT of kids getting services. NJ has been planning this for quite a while, but did not inform the SC or the families until this month AND the new payments start Feb 1. They had a public forum, we were told in our letters back in sept and oct, but no one involved was even made aware of the possible changes, so who responded? (I will check it out, haven't had time)

Our money from the lottery and casinos does not fund our regular education. In fact some of it goes to the jails, to fund their educational programs.

I went to a local town's site and asked for parents who were upset by this. My next plan is to meet them and see what we can do. No family should be forced to make a decision like this. Some people's rates did not go up much. Ours did and others have it worse than I.


No parent with a special needs child should have to make a decision like this. And no, insurance is not billed and they won't pay for therapy. They never asked for anything in all the years I have been involved (my older was in this program too) but they just want to be sure your child HAS insurance, so they ask the name of the carrier.

And all children age out at 3, in all states. Then the local school district provides services, if they are still needed.

 

Sharon, I just noticed where you live. Not far from where I taught. That area of the state has a shortage because of your location in the state. Not necessarily because of the number of kids. I know that system in that county because of what I taught. Where I live, it isn't like that. Just about any therapist can get to us from a major highway. No shortage.

 

I think that this link Family cost share shows what your hourly copay is based on family size and income level. According to this no family should have to pay more than 5% of their monthly income. It has to be a bummer to go from paying 0(or next to nothing) to $$$$. I hope you can find a way to make things work for your family. No child should have to go without needed services because of $$$. Good luck
Sue

 

I have to read that. We wont be paying 5% of our income, but it still is more than we have left over to spend...esp with no warning!
10X what we were paying is a big increase!

 

5% of the MONTHLY income, I have to think about it, if that is close or not. They really do not give much discounts for the # of kids. Our friend is paying $1 more per session than us, same salary. She has 1 child, I have 3.

 

Jeanie, sorry, I originally mis-read--I thought you were going by what you had heard, not by a letter you had actually recieved.

I just looked at Sue's link, and based on our personal family, what I would have paid for Jon, if he qualified, and what I would have to pay now is doubled. Also, our hourly copay would be around $8, so we would have to receive 40+ hours of therapy to meet the max. I kind of try to look at best case scenario, so to me it doesn't look too bad. Besides, I know that therapy would cost $70 an hour for speech if I had to pay out of pocket.

 

quote:
esp with no warning!
10X what we were paying is a big increase!


I totally understand this...we were hit last month with a new bill on our taxes. It was voted on by our county commisioners in late Oct. and had to be paid by all homeowners by Dec. 31.
What has happened in you state is not fair to the families and children who need help.
sue

 

i live in NJ, and had troube even getting my daughter approved for EI (for PT)...I have a few friends here who don't work for the state but are speech pathologists, child psychologists, etc. and they all suggested i look into doing it privately. In NJ, the cost of doing it privately if your insurance will cover part of it can actually end up costing you less than going through the NJ cost sharing for EI...Maybe you could look into it and compare? my insurance says they will pay 70% of the bill (after my deductable)....

 

I wish our insurance would pay something. They wont pay anything. Bah Humbug. That is what makes me mad. Those who HAVE to go this route are struggling to do it.

 

they wanted us to pay 314 dollars a month for one child in speech therapy.

screw you very much NJ!

went through my private insurance and just pay my 10 dollar c0-pay.

 

I'm in Illinois and pay the family fee. For us it is just $20 and they do bill our insurance company as well. EI is a great program and it WORKS. I would be outraged if they made changes. Contact your politicians and get support from important people in your community! Good luck.