Early Intervention Program Letter to Parents

May 14, 2008

Dear Parent:

Insurance is a routine and required payment source for services provided under the Early Intervention Program. Private health insurance is used to help pay for early intervention services to make sure that public funds stretch as far as possible in serving children like yours who can be helped by these important services.

Under NYS Public Health Law and regulation:

  • Your Early Intervention Official (EIO) must collect, and you must provide, information and documentation about your child's insurance coverage, including Medicaid and other government payers. Your service coordinator will collect this information and give it to your EIO. This information includes: the type of insurance policy or health benefits plan, the name of the insurer or plan administrator, the policy or plan identification number, the type of coverage in the policy and any other information needed to bill your insurance. Your service coordinator will explain your rights and responsibilities, and the protections that the law provides for families.
  • Your EIO must collect, and you must provide, your social security number and your child's social security number.

If the use of private insurance would result in any cost to your family (such as if your employer is self-insured and not prohibited from applying early intervention payments against a policy cap), your insurance may not be billed without your informed consent. Incidental costs, such as the time needed to file an insurance claim or the postage needed to mail the claim, are not considered a cost to your family.

If you decline to provide your insurance information to your service coordinator, your EIO is required to notify us, unless you provide documentation from your insurer that your insurance policy is not subject to New York State Insurance Law. The EIO must certify that you have been fully informed about the protections in State law when insurance is used for early intervention services. The EIO must also inform us of the reason why you declined to provide insurance information.

If you have any questions about the information in this letter, please ask your service coordinator or call the New York State Department of Health, Early Intervention Program at 518-473-7016.

Sincerely,

Bradley Hutton, M.P.H.
Director
Bureau of Early Intervention