Billing for assessments

[krenshaw]

I was contacted by my local probation department and asked to eliminate my fee for initial evaluations for offenders. I was told that the other providers in my community are doing this and that I will not recieve referrals if I continue to charge. Historic practice here has been to do these evals for a significantly reduced fee. I would like to see some discussion on how this is handled in other communities?

[PMH]

I am very fortunate in the working relationship I have with our local probation department.

We run a strong program and keep probation informed of the actions of our offenders and any program changes.

The mutual philosophy is we make our business and professional decisions and we don't tell probation how to handle their staff or offenders. In return, they don't try to tell us how to run our business.

It may make a difference that the probationers all pay for their own assessments and treatment. Probation is not responsible for anyone's fees.

Some clarification might be needed here. What exactly are they objecting too, and why? Texas mandates that an assessment be done, as well as a treatment plan. I wouldn't be interested doing those rather expensive tasks for free.

-PMH

[docjan]

Hi. I apologize that I have been MIA for awhile with many things going on at the office. Anyway, this topic caught my attention. We charge for evaluations, and we do these at various stages (some before sentencing, some are sent in after by various probation departments, and some are sentenced and need to schedule theirs after arriving to sign up for treatment). We charge the same fee for evaluations for these clients, regardless of what stage in the system they are in.

We are fortunate in that our departments have never suggested that we not charge. They all know that we charge a fee that is lower than some around us, and they all recognize that we put in a lot of hard work. We do keep them informed of what we are doing and any changes.

For the most part, clients pay all of their fees. We do sometimes have situations where a department will send written verification that they will pick up fees for a few weeks for someone who has experienced some sort of emergency. Other than that, the client is responsible.

I would be curious about what exactly they are asking. Are they wanting intake to be free or the formal evaluation?

Janice

[clinedavis]

Sorry to reply so late. I charge for assessments. The juvenile probation offices with whom I work pay for assessments while the Adult probation office has changed that practice recently. The adult probation office had a policy of picking up anything the client did not pay but now requires clients to pay the entire cost for their mandated assessments. The cost for an assessment that meets the requirements of the Texas Council on Sex Offenders regulations, including the costs for test kits, protocols, gas as this is a rural area, etc., would be prohibitive for me if I did not bill for evaluations.

I have a very good relationship with the adult probation office as before I set up here, they were not used to getting S/O specific assessments, monthly reports, treatment plans or annual treatment plan reviews.