Does the school district pay for early intervention services or do the parents pay?

I was told that there was NO cost to the family to have your child evaluated and/or to get services, and that the school district pays for that through the State. However, when I called Suffolk County, they said that we would need to go through our insurance. For those of you that have been through this - what is the deal?

Re: Does the school district pay for early intervention services or do the parents pay?

Early Intervention Services are paid for through the county...at age 3 it becomes the school districts responsibility.

Ive never heard of having to pay for the evaluation...Im a bit out of the loop b/c my daughter received services quite a few years ago but there are quite a few Mommies on here with kids who have had their children evaluated or who receive services..

Just bump this post a couple times if noone responds right away....I know someone will have the answers for you.

Re: Does the school district pay for early intervention services or do the parents pay?

We had my son evaluated through EI for speech 2 years ago. It was submitted through our insurance, and we did not pay anything. He did not qualify, so we didn't go any further in the process. He was 2 years old at the time.

Re: Does the school district pay for early intervention services or do the parents pay?

its the new thing now.. they ask for your insurance.. if your insurance doesn't cover it though the school district pays.

Re: Does the school district pay for early intervention services or do the parents pay?

I haven't really posted about this, but, my DS is recieving services through E.I.
When they came to do the evaluation, I am almost 100% sure they said the county pays for it.
If he did NOT qualify, then, I could take him outside the home for services IF our insurance covered it (and I assume we would have paid a co pay).
He qualified, therefore, he does recieve the services inside our home.
I haven't paid a dime.

I hope this helps.

Message edited 6/21/2008 10:42:00 PM.

Re: Does the school district pay for early intervention services or do the parents pay?

My son has speech but it's through the district because he's 3. But when I had him evaluated by EI they did ask for a copy of our ins. card but as another poster mentioned I believe they try to go through your ins. and if your ins. doesn't cover it then the county pays for it and by 3 when you go through the district then they pay for it. I think the only time you would have to pay out of pocket is if you want to take your child privately.

Re: Does the school district pay for early intervention services or do the parents pay?

They try to go through insurance first. If it is not covered by insurance, then the county will pick it up. DD needed PT and my insurance didn't cover it, so it was picked up through the county (suffolk).

My girlfriends son did not qualify for speech services through the county (nassau) but their insurance did pick it up, so he gets it through insurance.

Re: Does the school district pay for early intervention services or do the parents pay?

As a teacher we were always told that related services, including EI, should be paid for by the school district or state. In theory, you shouldn't have to pay for anything and neither should your insurance company. Im pretty sure it varies from state to state.

Re: Does the school district pay for early intervention services or do the parents pay?

i've been through EI and CPSE. my son just got discharged from services after 5 years so i am quite familiar with all of this.

EI will attempt to get some coverage from your insurance company. (You don't worry about any of it, they get the info and deal with it) as long as you are approved for services, there is no cost to you. the insurance typically has a maximum they allow, and once thats finished, the county takes over the remainder of hte cost.

if you don't qualify and still want services, you can see if your insurance company pays for them. (some do) you will usually have a copay per session though.

as for CPSE, thats at age 3, and its the school district that handles it. not all the money that goes towards services come directly form the district, some still come from the county at that point.

as long as you qualify for services though, there is no cost to you directly.

Re: Does the school district pay for early intervention services or do the parents pay?

It's not new because when DS started EI 7 years ago they asked for our insurance information. They try to bill it, but insurance companies won't pay for evaluations typically so the county picks up the bill for under 3 and the district over 3. I have heard in NJ that parents have to pay for EI.