Hello! I’m Grace Y., the founder of the Texas Chapter. Texas, unfortunately, lacks access and navigation tools when it comes to legal issues. People all over Texas find themselves facing huge legal issues without any assistance at all. So, when Dr. Chow asked if I wanted to lend a hand and help out, I immediately joined and created the Texas Chapter. Because of the high goals of impacting millions of people around the globe, and the hope of effectively protecting their rights, I knew that I could not do this on my own.

 During a debate group class, I got to know some people who shared my view of the world’s lack of legal assistance. I met up with Olivia, Vivian, and Rachel, who are now some of my close friends. Together, we discussed the topic of legal rights, came up with solutions that were cost effective, and in the process, began to connect and bond. Their brilliant and thoughtful ideas are what has inspired many of the solutions in this chapter.

 In the HMDC Forensics Academy, we recognize that legal issues can be confusing, and challenging, and that legal assistance can be hard to find, especially when you have financial restrictions, which is why we started the Pro Pro Bono. This is meant to be an easily accessible and understandable platform, that is used to break down complex legal issues into direct and comprehensible language. All of the founders and co-founders of this platform are individuals who truly want the best for you and your families, and everybody who is part of this believes in equality for everyone, regardless of your income or financial restraints. We encourage you to delve deeper into our resources and find which solutions work best for you. If we all work together, we can make sure that no one is left behind in their chase for equality and fairness.

Medical services in Texas

 Medicare in Texas

Introduction for Medicare:

Medicare, the United States federal medical insurance program, provides coverage for more than 4.4 million people in Texas who qualify for Medicare. You can get Medicare if you’re 65 or older or have a qualifying disability.

Your disability typically qualifies if you’ve received at least 24 Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability insurance payments. You can also enroll in Medicare Advantage Plans if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Eligibility for Medicare:

To be qualified for Medicare, you must be a United States citizen or a legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five years, and:

·       You are 65 years of age.

·       Have a disability based on the Social Security’s definition of total disability, or

·       Have ALS.

·       Have ESRD (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant).

·       You worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.

Medicare Plan Options in Texas:

Residents of Texas have multiple Medicare plans to choose from. Many are tiered to help Texas seniors find the plan that is best suited to their lifestyle and medical needs. For example, seniors and individuals with disabilities who don’t need much coverage can apply for Original Medicare. Texas’ Medicare Advantage program might be a better option if you need more comprehensive insurance. Some Medicare policies offer additional prescription drug add-ons or supplementary coverage.

-       Original Medicare (Parts A and B):

 ·       Original Medicare is the basic Medicare plan, which is a fee-for-service form of insurance.

·       It has two parts: Part A hospital insurance and Part B medical insurance. Part A covers hospital stays and periods spent at skilled nursing facilities, lab tests an individual has performed, and hospice care. Part B covers doctor’s office visits and home health care services.

·       With Original Medicare, you’ll pay a deductible along with your share of the fees incurred during an inpatient or outpatient visit:

·       Original Medicare is a good choice if you want flexibility in choosing and accessing providers that accept Medicare anywhere in the U.S.

·       There is no cap on what you could spend for out-of-pocket expenses, and you must purchase drug coverage separately, so it’s a better choice for you if you don’t need much in the way of health care or prescription drugs.

·       If you don’t purchase a Medigap policy to supplement Original Medicare when you are first eligible, you may not be able to purchase one or may have to pay higher premiums, depending on your health status.

-       Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)

 ·       Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, are an alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurance companies. These plans include both Part A and Part B coverage, except for hospice care.

·    Medicare Advantage offers additional coverage for essential needs, such as prescription drugs, dental and vision care. Some Medicare Advantage Plans also cover gym memberships and transportation to and from medical appointments.

·       Medicare Advantage is a good choice if you want to have all your health care and drug benefits bundled together in one plan and if you don’t mind being restricted in your choice of providers to save on costs.

·       There is a cap on what you can spend for out-of-pocket Medicare-covered expenses.

·       You also have access to services that Medicare doesn’t cover, like routine dental and vision exams.

 -              Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Plans (Part D)

 ·       Medicare prescription drug coverage is offered to all Medicare enrollees, but you may have to pay a penalty if you wait to enroll after being initially eligible.

·       Medicare Part D plans may not all cover the same drugs or have the same costs as Medicare Advantage policies. Standalone Part D coverage is provided by Medicare-approved private insurers.

·       Part D is a good choice if you have Original Medicare, or if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan ― not a health maintenance organization (HMO) or preferred provider organization (PPO) ― that doesn’t have prescription drug coverage.

·       You pay a penalty if you wait to enroll in a Part D plan, unless you have creditable coverage from an employer-sponsored group plan.

·       If you don’t require medications now, you can enroll in a low-premium Part D plan to avoid late enrollment penalties later.

-    Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans (Medigap)

·       These plans are intended to fill in the gaps Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Some of these gaps include medical coverage while overseas, Part A and Part B copays, and excess Part B charges.

·       Medigap doesn’t pay for anything related to Medicare Advantage. You cannot have a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage Plan at the same time.

·       Medigap is a good choice if you have Original Medicare and want help paying for out-of-pocket expenses you incur when you access your Part A and Part B benefits.

·       You pay a monthly premium, and most copays and coinsurance costs are covered.

·       If you have significant health care needs, want the freedom to see any Medicare provider without network restrictions, a Medigap plan offers predictable coverage and costs for Medicare-covered care.

·       Medigap doesn’t cover prescription drugs or other benefits like dental and vision.

Applying for Medicare:

 ·       If you become eligible for Medicare at the age of 65, and you can apply for care during the Initial Enrollment Period, which starts three months before your birthday, includes your birthday month, and lasts for three months after your birth month. If you do not apply for Medicare during this seven-month period, you may be forced to pay additional enrollment fees.

·       If you are currently on disability, you may qualify for Medicare before your 65th birthday. In this case, your Initial Enrollment Period will begin three months before your 25th month of receiving benefits, and it will end three months after your 25th month.

·       You may also be able to enroll at a different time if you are still working at the time you turn 65. If you are working at a company with more than 20 employees and are receiving healthcare from your employer, you can request an extension on your enrollment period. This will allow you delay accepting Medicare until after you retire and prevent you from needing to pay for multiple policies simultaneously.

Eligible and think Medicare is the right thing for you? Learn more and apply at Medicare Official Website:

https://www.medicare.gov/ 

Medicaid in Texas

What is Texas Medicaid?

Medicaid is the state and federal cooperative venture that provides medical coverage to eligible needy persons. The purpose of Medicaid in Texas is to improve the health of people in Texas who might otherwise go without medical care for themselves and their children.

The mission of the program is to improve the health of Texans by:

●      Emphasizing prevention.

●      Promoting continuity of care.

●      Providing a medical home for Medicaid recipients.

●      Ensuring that each recipient can receive high quality, comprehensive health care services within the recipient's community.

Who is eligible for Texas Medicaid?

To be eligible for Texas Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state of Texas, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be one of the following:

●      Pregnant

●      Be responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger.

●      Blind

●      Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability.

●      Be 65 years of age or older.

Please visit the Texas Medicaid website to learn more.

You can call the Texas Medicaid hotline toll-free at:

1-800-252-8263

TDD users can call:

512-424-6597

Doctors and Clinicians in Texas (Board Certified Only)

Doctors and clinicians include doctors, clinicians and groups who are qualified to practice in many specialties. Each specialty focuses on certain parts of the body, periods of life, conditions, or primary care. The doctors, clinicians, and groups listed here typically work in an office or clinic setting. Only those who currently accept Medicare are included.

Joel Adler

GENERAL SURGERY

1400 N Ih 35 LL

Cl400 Tri County Prac Assoc

Austin, TX 78701-1926

(512) 324-7300

 Nikita Shah

PSYCHIATRY

1500 Red River St Dell Seton Medical Ctr at Th

Austin, TX 78701-1918

(512) 324-7000

 Emily Anne Bowen

INTERNAL MEDICINE

1108 Lavaca St

Suite 110 320

Austin, TX 78701-2172

(512) 477-4088

 Michael Lefkof Krol

AUSTIN GERIATRIC SPECIALISTS PLLC

1108 Lavaca St

Suite 110 320

Austin, TX 78701-2172

(512) 477-4088

 Geoffrey Flynn McCrossan

INTERNAL MEDICINE

1108 Lavaca St

Suite 110 320

Austin, TX 78701-2172

(512) 477-4088

 Melinda L. Alba

FAMILY PRACTICE

211 E 7th St

Suite 620

Austin, TX 78701-3218

(415) 504-3838 Ext. 9238

 Jeanette Carpenter

DOCTOR ON DEMAND PROFESSIONALS P C

211 E 7th St

Suite 620

Austin, TX 78701-3218

(415) 504-3838 Ext. 9238

 Melissa Eirich

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

211 E 7th St

Suite 620

Austin, TX 78701-3218

(415) 504-3838 Ext. 9238

 James Fiechtl, MD

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

211 E 7th St

Suite 620

Austin, TX 78701-3218

(866) 719-9611

 Elizabeth Pena

PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION

211 E 7th St

Suite 620

Austin, TX 78701-3218

(866) 719-9611

 Adewole S. Adamson

DERMATOLOGY

313 E 12th St

101 Tri County Prac Assoc

Austin, TX 78701-1955

(512) 324-9650

 Dalia el Bejjani, MD

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

313 E 12th St

101 Tri County Prac Assoc

Austin, TX 78701-1955

(512) 324-9650

Use this link to find doctors near you:

https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/results?searchType=Physician&page=1&city=Austin&state=TX&zipcode=&radius=200&medicareApproved=Y&physicianBoardCertified=true&sort=closest

Hospitals in Texas (All 5 Star Rating)

Hospitals provide services like medical, surgical, and psychiatric care to people who are sick or injured. Services are ordered by a doctor. These types of hospitals can be found here using the "Hospital type" filter:

●      Acute care: Give inpatient medical care and other related services for surgery, acute medical conditions or injuries (usually for a short-term illness or condition).

●      Children's: Inpatient care mostly for people under age 18.

●      Critical access: Small facilities that give outpatient and limited inpatient services to people in rural areas.

●      Psychiatric: Specialty facilities that mainly give inpatient psychiatric services to diagnose and treat mental illness on a 24-hour basis, by or under the supervision of a physician.

St David's Medical Center

ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS

919 E 32nd St

Austin, TX 78705

(512) 476-7111

Ascension Seton Northwest

ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS

11113 Research Boulevard

Austin, TX 78759

(512) 324-6000

 Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Round Rock

ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS

300 University Blvd

Round Rock, TX 78664

(512) 509-0100

 Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Marble Falls

ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS

810 W Highway 71

Marble Falls, TX 78654

(830) 201-7308

 Coryell Memorial Hospital

CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS

1507 W Main Street

Gatesville, TX 76528

(254) 865-8251

 Dell Children's Medical Center

CHILDRENS

4900 Mueller Blvd

Austin, TX 78723

(512) 324-0000

Rating is not available.

 Children's Hospital of San Antonio

CHILDRENS

333 N Santa Rosa St

San Antonio, TX 78207

(210) 704-3342

Rating is not available.

Healthbridge Childrens's Hospital of Houston

CHILDRENS

2929 Woodland Park Drive

Houston, TX 77082

(281) 293-7774

Rating is not available.

 Ascension Seton Shoal Creek

PSYCHIATRIC

3501 Mills Ave

Austin, TX 78731

(512) 324-2000

Rating is not available.

 Austin State Hospital

PSYCHIATRIC

4110 Guadalupe

Austin, TX 78751

(512) 419-2100

Rating is not available.

 Austin Oaks Hospital

PSYCHIATRIC

1407 West Stassney Lane

Austin, TX 78745

(512) 383-8939

Rating is not available.

 Cross Creek Hospital

PSYCHIATRIC

8402 Cross Park Drive

Austin, TX 78754

(844) 572-4956

Rating is not available.

Use this link to find the hospitals near your location:

https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/results?searchType=Hospital&page=1&city=Austin&state=TX&zipcode=&radius=200&sort=closest  

Nursing Homes in Texas (All 5 Star Rating)

Nursing homes are facilities for people who need 24-hour care. Most nursing homes provide both short-term and long-term care, including:

●      Short-term care for people who need rehabilitation after surgery, like physical therapy after a hip or knee replacement.

●      Short-term care for people who need skilled nursing to recover from an illness, like pneumonia.

●      Long-term care for people who need help with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, or eating.

Some nursing homes offer specialized care for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. The nursing homes here are certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid.

The Arbour at Westminster Manor

4200 Jackson Ave

Austin, TX 78731

(512) 454-2140

 Querencia at Barton Creek

2500 Barton Creek Blvd

Austin, TX 78735

(512) 610-9400

 Marbridge Villa

2504 Bliss Spillar Road

Manchaca, TX 78652

(512) 282-1811

Longhorn Village

12001 Longhorn Parkway

Austin, TX 78732

(512) 266-5600

Cedar Pointe Health and Wellness Center

1301 Cottonwood Creek Trail

Cedar Park, TX 78613

(737) 757-3100

 Chisolm Trail Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

107 N Medina

Lockhart, TX 78644

(512) 398-5213

 The Wesleyan Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation

4011 Williams Dr

Georgetown, TX 78628

(512) 868-2700

Granite Mesa Health Center

1401 Max Copeland Dr

Marble Falls, TX 78654

(830) 693-0022

Diversicare of Luling

208 Maple St

Luling, TX 78648

(830) 875-5219

 Legend Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation - New Br

2468 Fm 1101

New Braunfels, TX 78130

(830) 420-6500

 The Heights of Gonzales

701 N Sarah Dewitt

Gonzales, TX 78629

(830) 672-4530

 Cornerstone Gardens LLP

763 Marlandwood Rd

Temple, TX 76505

(254) 771-5950

Baylor Scott & White Continuing Care Hospital Skil

2401 South 31st St

Temple, TX 76504

(254) 771-8200

Coronado at Stone Oak

19638 Stone Oak Parkway

San Antonio, TX 78258

(210) 402-5750

Care Choice of Boerne

200 E Ryan St

Boerne, TX 78006

(830) 249-2594

Use this link to find nursing homes near your location:

https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/results?searchType=NursingHome&page=1&city=Austin&state=TX&zipcode=&radius=200&sort=highestRated

 Hospice Care in Texas (All 5 Star Rating)

Hospice offers care and support that focuses on the quality of life for people and their caregivers who are experiencing an advanced, life-limiting illness. This type of care is most often provided where patients live, whether it's at home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. Hospice care uses a team of health care providers who care for patients' medical, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Depending on the illness or condition, the hospice team creates a plan of care that can include some or all these services:

●      Nursing care

●      Hospice aide and homemaker services

●      Social worker services

●      Medical equipment and supplies

●      Doctor/Physician Assistant services

●      Prescription drugs for symptom control or pain relief

●      Dietary counseling

●      Physical and occupational therapy

●      Speech-language pathology services (like to help with swallowing)

●      Grief and loss counseling

Concho Hearts Hospice, LLC

(325) 482-0129

Heart to Heart Hospice of Lufkin LLC

(936) 699-6001

Hospice of East Texas

(903) 266-3400

Peterson Hospice

(830) 258-7799

Traditions Health

(936) 545-0320

 Use this link to find hospice centers near you:

https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/results?searchType=Hospice&page=1&city=Austin&state=TX&zipcode=&sort=alpha&tealiumEventAction=Landing%20Page%20-%20Search&tealiumSearchLocation=search%20bar