About Border Region BHC Starr County

This is a sliding scale approved program

Charges for services
We will not deny you services. Our charge for services is based on your ability to pay. The way we determine your ability to pay is fair and the same for everyone.

To determine your ability to pay for services, we need information regarding:
- Your income
- Any extraordinary expenses (for example, major medical expenses)
- Child care expenses, major property loss or damage
- The number of people in your family

Your responsibility of payment
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. You will receive the form used to determine your maximum monthly fee. If your maximum monthly fee is more than zero, you will receive a bill for services. You have a choice to pay more than your maximum monthly fee.

Services to adults are provided using the Texas Recovery and Resiliency (TRR) model provided by the Health and Human Services Commission. Resiliency and Disease Management (RDM) is the State of Texas design for public Mental Health services to adults with severe and persistent mental illness and children with severe emotional disturbance. One primary aim is to ensure the provision of interventions with empirical support to eliminate or manage symptoms and promote recovery from psychiatric disorders.


Services
Adult Mental Health
The Adult Behavioral Health Services Unit provides an array of services to adults 18 years of age or older who suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, severe major depression or any other severely disabling mental disorders which require support and treatment

Children's Mental Health
The Child, Adolescent and Parent Services Program (CAPS) serves children ages 3 through 17 with a diagnosis of mental illness who may experience emotional disturbance, behavioral problems, prior in-patient psychiatric hospitalization, and/or at risk of expulsion from school.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Program offers an array of services specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals diagnosed with intellectual/cognitive, pervasive developmental disorder and/or related conditions.

Texans Recovering Together Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program
This program offers brief individual, group counseling, educational and supportive contacts from crisis counselors and several other licensed professionals to assist individuals from a young age of 3 years old and on

Sliding Scale

Border Region BHC Starr County operates under a sliding fee scale payment model. What this means to you is that Border Region BHC Starr County 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

Community Mental Health Center

Border Region BHC Starr County is a certified Community Mental Health Center and therefore operates through federal and state funds made possible by the Community Mental Health Act. The purpose of these funds to make diagnosis and treatment available to low-income and indigent individuals. The services are either free or under a sliding-scale. These services are available to people of all ages who do not have health insurance.

County or Local Government Funds

Counties are often responsible for backing services like schools and hospitals. Border Region BHC Starr County receives funding from either the county or another local government. This means that mental health services for local residents might be offered for free or at a reduced rate. Call to find out.

Community Services Block Grant

The US Department of Health and Human Services offers funds in the form of Community Services Block Grants to all states. The purpose of these funds is to reduce poverty by helping low-income individuals and families find work, access education, obtain housing, and improve their health. Border Region BHC Starr County is a recipient of this grant. You may qualify for assistance provided you meet low-income eligibility requirements but you must apply by contacting the following office:

Medicare

Border Region BHC Starr County 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. Border Region BHC Starr County 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.

Community Mental Health Center

Community Mental Health Centers operate through federal and state funds made possible by the Community Mental Health Act. The purpose of these funds to make diagnosis and treatment available to low-income and indigent individuals. The services are either free or under a sliding-scale. These services are available to people of all ages who do not have health insurance. Border Region BHC Starr County is a certified Community Mental Health Center therefore offers services to those who might not be able to afford them.

Other State funds

Border Region BHC Starr County recieves funding from the state of Texas other than traditional funding like Medicare, Medicaid, or Community Services Block grants. This means that it likely that these subsidies will translate to affordable or free mental health services to you. Call Border Region BHC Starr County to find out.

State mental health agency (or equivalent) funds

Border Region BHC Starr County Funds designed to finance the cost of treatment for mental health conditions.

State welfare or child and family services funds

Border Region BHC Starr County recieves or accepts State welfare or child and family services funds.

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.