Wisconsin Birth to 3
Parental Cost Share System
Sharing in the cost of services for your child
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES
PARENTAL INCOME DOES NOT DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR THE BIRTH TO 3 PROGRAM
WHAT IS THE PARENTAL COST SHARE SYSTEM?
The Parental
Cost Share System means that parents, who are determined to be able, will share
in the cost of early intervention services for their child. The Parental Cost
Share System is based on a partnership between the family and the public sector.
These funds will offset the cost of early intervention services for your child.
All funds collected will be used to offset the costs of early intervention services
in your county.
Birth to
3 Program Services are funded through county, state, and federal funds, insurance
payment and the Parental Cost Share. If your child might be eligible for Medical
Assistance through programs such as Badger Care, SSI, Katie Beckett or the Healthy
Start Programs, you will be asked to apply. You will also be asked for consent
to bill your private health insurance.
WHAT INFORMATION MUST PARENTS PROVIDE?
You will
be asked to provide information about your income and the number of family members
in your home, including the number of children in the Birth to 3 Program, and
the number of children who have a disability and are under the age of 19. You
will be asked to provide current and accurate information. Refusal to provide
this information may result in your being responsible for the maximum cost share.
HOW IS THE PARENTAL COST SHARE DETERMINED?
The county
Birth to 3 Agency or its designee uses the following procedures to calculate
your Parental Cost Share:
- Calculate the total income of the parents by using the most recent federal tax return or other sources
- Determine
adjusted annual income by giving parents:
- $3,300 credit for each family member participating in the Birth to 3 Program
- $3,300 credit for each additional child in the family under the age of 19 with a disability
- Compare your adjusted annual income and family size to the federal poverty guidelines.
Based on
this information, your Parental Cost Share will be determined by comparing income
information to the Parental Cost Share tables. This information is available
to your county's Birth to 3 program. The Parental Cost Share will range from
$0-150 per month for the term of your child's current Individualized Family
Service Plan (IFSP).
DOES THE PARENTAL COST SHARE AFFECT EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES?
Your service
coordinator will work with your family and early intervention team to develop
an IFSP. The numbers, types or frequency of services on the IFSP do not increase
or decrease your cost share. Your cost share is based on parental income and
expenses, not services.
Your cost share will not exceed the cost of your child's plan. To ensure this
will not occur, the service coordinator may calculate the cost of the IFSP and
consider potential insurance payments, which may in turn reduce your cost share.
The cost share applies to most services listed on the IFSP. Some services, such
as evaluation and assessment, development of the IFSP and service coordination
are not included in the cost of the plan. The parental cost share is
applied to the cost of the entire plan, not individual services.
WHAT IF A FAMILY'S SITUATION CHANGES?
The parental cost share can be changed whenever there are major changes for a family such as more or less income or the birth of a child. A family can request a change in their cost share. The Birth to 3 Program should be notified of any major financial changes.
HOW IS THE PARENTAL COST SHARE COLLECTED?
Your county
agency is responsible for determining how parental cost share payments will
be collected. Your Service Coordinator will discuss payment options with you
to determine what will work best for your family.
Department
of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living
Birth to 3 Program
P.O. Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707-7851
Telephone: (608) 266-8276
Fax: (608) 261-6751
Web: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/bdds/birthto3