About Howard County Mental Health Center

This is a sliding scale approved program

Extended Hours: Open until 6:00pm every Tuesday

Serves Howard, Glasscock, Martin and Borden Counties

Central Intake/Assessment for Mental Health Services, Clinical Psychiatric Evaluation, Community Mental Health Agencies, General Crisis Intervention Hotlines, Mental Health Screening, Psychiatric Disorder Counseling, Suicide Prevention Hotlines.

Services offered by West Texas Centers are funded by the State of Texas, local government and by consumers who have the ability to pay.


1. How the Center Charges for Services

The Center will not turn you away from services just because you cannot pay for them. The amount that the center charges for services is based on your ability to pay. The way we decide your ability-to-pay is fair and is the same for everyone. We will show you the way we did it and answer your questions.
2. What We Need From You?

To decide if you are able to pay for service, Center staff will ask you for the following information:

    To provide proof of your household income
    To provide proof of any extraordinary expenses (major medical expenses, childcare expenses, major property loss or damage)
    the number of people in your household

3. What You Will Pay?

Your income (minus any extraordinary expenses) and the number of people in your family will be applied to a fee schedule to get your maximum monthly fee. Center staff will tell you the amount of your maximum monthly fee and give you the fee schedule we used. Center Staff will give you the form used to decide your maximum monthly fee. If your maximum monthly fee is more than zero, then you will receive a bill for services. You may pay more than your maximum monthly fee if you want. For more information on our Charity Care policy click here
4. If You Have Medicare or Medicaid Benefits

Medicaid-covered services will be billed directly to Medicaid. You will not receive a bill for any services paid by Medicaid. If you have Medicare you are responsible for co-insurance and/or deductibles, up to your maximum monthly fee. If your services are not covered by Medicaid or Medicare, then you may be charged up to your maximum monthly fee.

Consumers who are eligible for benefits and refuse to apply for benefits may be charged the full standard fee for services. (Texas Administrative Code)
5. If You Have Private Health Insurance

If you have private health insurance and complete an assignment of benefits, the Center will bill your insurance company directly for covered services. You are responsible for charges that insurance company does not pay for. If you have insurance and do not complete an assignment of benefits, then the Center may charge you the full standard rate for services. If the Center is not a provider for your insurance plan, we will assist you in locating a provider who accepts your insurance.
6. Financial Hardship

If it is difficult to pay all charges owed, the center may be able to arrange for you to temporarily pay a lesser amount each month. If you have private health insurance and financial hardship prevents you from paying your full co-insurance, co-pays, or deductible, we will make arrangements with you to pay no more than your maximum monthly fee (or $5.00 a month, if your maximum monthly fee is zero).
7. Reduction or Termination of Services for Non-Payment

When it has been determined through a financial assessment that an individual has the ability to pay, whether through determination of a maximum monthly fee (MMF) or third party, the Center will make every reasonable effort to collect on past due accounts. Each account is properly assessed and if needed, the Center will conduct a follow up financial assessment in evaluating ability to pay. If it is determined that non-payment is not related to the persons mental health crisis and despite reasonable efforts to secure payment, the responsible party refuses to pay, then the Center may propose to involuntarily reduce or terminate the services to a person for non-payment by the person (or parent).

Sliding Scale

Howard County Mental Health Center operates under a sliding fee scale payment model. What this means to you is that Howard County Mental Health Center provides their services even to patients who cannot afford care (such as low-income or who people who need to self-pay). Patients will pay according to their income. Be prepared to provide information on your household income.

2024 Federal Sliding Fee Schedule based on Annual Income

Medicare

Howard County Mental Health Center accepts Medicare, a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and people with disabilities.

Medicare covers a wide range of mental health services.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient mental health care services you get in a hospital. Part A covers your room, meals, nursing care, and other related services and supplies.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover mental health services that you would generally get outside of a hospital, including visits with a psychiatrist or other doctor, visits with a clinical psychologist or clinical social worker, and lab tests ordered by your doctor.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug ) helps cover drugs you may need to treat a mental health condition. Each Part D plan has its own list of covered drugs, known as formulary. Learn more about which plans cover various drugs.

If you get your Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health plan, check your plan’s membership materials or call the plan for details about how to get your mental health benefits.

Medicaid

All state Medicaid programs provide some mental health services. Howard County Mental Health Center accepts Medicaid, a joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with low incomes and limited resources. Medicaid programs vary from state to state.

State-financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid

Howard County Mental Health Center receives State-financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid

State mental health agency (or equivalent) funds

Howard County Mental Health Center Funds designed to finance the cost of treatment for mental health conditions.

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) Insurance Coverage For Mental Health

Obamacare purchased from the Health Care Marketplaces covers Mental Health Care and Substance Use Disorder Treatment. Under the Health Care Law there are 10 categories of benefits. Mental Health Care and Substance Abuse Treatment are two of the 10.

If you have Affordable Care Act Coverage you will have mental health care coverage.