[dantheman2]

Is there a place to find a list of Medicaid physicians and/or dentists on the internet? Thanks, Stephanie

[crikkit]

I've never found a listing on the internet, but you can call Medicaid at 800-335-8957 and give them your zip code, and they will give you a list of pediatricians. They also gave me a separate number for dentists ... 877-847-8377.

[txsar]

Where are you located? I'd be happy to forward on the information I've found so far if you're in the North Dallas area.

[EmmaLeigh2882]

I am in the Ft Worth area, I want to get a list of providers together before I get placements so I can drill them first. Any ideas?

[dantheman2]

I finally found one near where we live in Austin. Thanks. Our agency helped us because I couldn't do it myself.

[TexasJingles]

I just called the numbers crikkit listed and got a couple of names that seemed to be in our area. The only one that was close is actually 18 miles away. Of course, everything in Houston seems to be on the other side of town! I couldn't believe how fast some providers have dropped medicaid around here.

The only problem with calling them, is that you need a medicaid number (at least I did). Good luck!

[tcady]

All Texas Childrens offices take medicaid as far as I know. their website is:
http://www.texaschildrenshospital.org/
they have hospital, specialists, pediatricians, and various locations aorunf Houston, I use CyFair branch and am very happy with it.

[marythemom]

We are adopting children from Nebraska. Apparently they have to keep their current state's Medicaid. It's hard enough finding places that will take Medicaid let alone NE Medicaid! Anyone know anywhere near Austin, TX (we're in Round Rock) that takes Medicaid or might even take NE Medicaid - or who to ask? Our kids are going to need the usual doctors, dentists, vision, but will also need a therapist and pharmacist. They currently go to therapy once a week. Would love any and all advice!
Thanks,
Mary

[TexasJingles]

Hi Mary,

This is something you REALLY need to bring up with the interstate compact thingy (I don't remember what that agency is, your cwr should know more).

The reason I say this is...

my step-daughter is from Iowa. Up there, she is on Iowa's medicaid (don't know why since we have her covered on med. insurance here, but that's another post!). One summer her mom just sent us the medicaid card with her instead of mailing her refills. Texas does not recognize Iowa's medicaid and fortunately I had my insurance card with me and paid the deductable.

So, get medicaid dealt with before finalizing the adoption.

As far as doctors, I would call the number crikkit posted above and see if they can help. I go through the doctor to get referrals for hearing and vision.

We got our dentist by calling a friend's ped. dentist and he referred us to his college buddy. He really wanted to help us, but he couldn't do it for free and wasn't set-up to take medicaid. But, boy what a find! The kid's dentist is great! You could also call their state number and ask.

Our psych. was more of a challenge. I asked the guy who did the kid's annual psych. evals for recommendations. He gave me a few names and we found a great office.

Therapist -- well, we're still using the one we had when they were foster. They didn't have space within the agency, so they had to find one outside. She takes medicaid, so we're all set there. I did do research for an attachment therapist and there's a GREAT one that moved from ... hmmm... (can't think of the town, it's half way between Houston and Austin where hwy 71 cuts over through Bassdrop) and she is now in Conroe. She's WELL worth the drive (people from all over the state come to see her, as well as neighboring states). If you're looking for that, PM me and I'll get you her web address.

As for med.s, I just went to the closest one and asked if they take this insurance. They do, so that was the easiest.

Good luck and take care!

[marythemom]

Our caseworker said this is how it works with all of thier interstate adoptions (not that she's personally done one before). We're working with our insurance to see if they'll cover the children before the adoption is final. We're also trying to find places that might accept it. One problem with switching to our insurance is our insurance has not so great coverage on key things like mental health. Our kids will need therapy every week (at least). Our insurance doesn't cover that much. We were planning to use Medicaid to supplement our insurance (after the adoption was final) - that may not work with this funky Medicaid. The good news about our insurance would be that it wouldn't cost us anymore than now since we already have kids on a family plan - 2 more makes no difference. The caseworker is already talking about reimbursements, etc. She really wants this to work (almost as much as we do I think!).
I'll send her the info from the earlier post too.
Mary
Mom to 2 (boy 7.5 yr. and girl 10 yr.) and almost 2 more (boy 13 yr. and girl 11 yr.)

[marythemom]

Thanks DantheMan2 for the referral for the hospital. I will call tomorrow. I got a major runaround from the local HHS office and Medicaid. Basically we were told to call individual providers and ask. The good news is the caseworker is being very helpful! She's working on this too. We had told her that we weren't worried about the health stuff (insurance covers that), we're more worried about the mental health stuff not being covered (our insurance would only pay for the children to go every other week, and they go weekly now). She said they might be able to put that into the monthly stipends. Now ALL I have to do is find a provider. Anyone near the Austin/Round Rock area with a recommendation? I would love to go to that great therapist recommended by TexasJingles, but that's way too far away for weekly visits.
Thanks!
Mary

[TexasJingles]

It's not weekly. She has 2 ways.

1 is that you bring your therapist from home (they get cont. ed credit or something like that, I guess they have to take so many hours a year), well, you can come just as your family too. Those that live a long way away come and stay for 5 days or a week or something. It's an intensive training/evaluation for you and the child (she recommends one at a time, or have one adult per child). She really teaches you to be the therapist and opposes any therapy where the parent is not involved (as in actually in the room with them). AT kids are so manipulative that they don't really get anywhere until they are attached to someone. There is more info on her website.

The other way, for those of us close is basically the same thing, except we don't have to do the evaluation all in one week. It can be done in chunks.

Either way, you come back say every quarter or semi-annually.

She's pretty intense, but not WAY out there. I really like that she wants things like a hair sample to see if there were drugs inutero, or an imbalance that a change in diet can help (we've seen a change just by cutting down on some foods). She doesn't like medicating a child unless it's really needed. I'll PM you her website (need to remember it, I have it on a computer at work). She's really into Nancy Thomas and is required reading for the "mom". I like Nancy Thomas' approach, so she works for me (ok, I won't be sitting on top of my kids, but they haven't killed anyone or anything like some of Nancy's kids did).

We haven't been able to get 100% started with her yet, but we're working on it.

[tcady]

check for Community Counseling Associates.
I am not sure if they are just in houston, or Statewide....