| The Texas Horsemen’s Assistance Fund, Inc. was established
to provide financial assistance to qualified horsemen
who actively participate in race meets in Texas.
THAFI will review legitimate requests regarding assistance
for trainers, assistant trainers, backstretch personnel (grooms/stable
foreman) and the immediate families of such persons that
are deemed indigent and in true need of financial
assistance. This assistance does not apply
to jockeys, exercise riders, pony persons, veterinarians,
farriers or any other self-employed persons at a racetrack.
If an exercise rider works solely for one trainer (employer)
and that trainer is willing to sign a notarized Affidavit
swearing to the fact of his/her employment & income, then
assistant may be considered. The program offered by THAFI
is designed to provide assistance for persons unable to financially
obtain medical, dental, or vision care, not to replace or
supplement health insurance or Workers Compensation insurance.
No deductibles or insurance co-pays shall be considered
Applications for assistance should be completed in full prior
to obtaining any type of assistance or as soon as applicant
receives his/her first medical bill for which they need financial
assistance, with the exception of unforeseen emergency situations.
The application has a 90-day limit of which services can be
obtained. If services are not obtained within the 90-day period
then another application will need to be processed. The 90-day
limit begins on either the date of application or date of
first medical bill received, whichever occurs first. Each
person requesting assistance shall be required to sign an
affidavit proclaiming that without this assistance, the submitted
medical, dental, or vision bill could not be paid. Financial
circumstances of the applicant will be considered at the time
of committee review.
SECTION I – ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, a person must first demonstrate financial
need. All assistance provided will be paid solely on the basis
of financial need. Such need can be demonstrated by various
means, but eligible persons must provide such evidence of
need either by the statement of income to debt or by other
means as requested by THAFI.
Trainers, assistant trainers, persons employed on the backstretch
(grooms/stable foremen) and their immediate families, who
are deemed indigent, are eligible to apply for
assistance. Any indigent person
normally found working for an actively participating trainer
on the backstretch of a racetrack and/or a trainer who actively
participates in a Texas race meet may apply for assistance
from THAFI with the exception of those named above.
SECTION II – ALLOWABLE EXPENSES
There is a $2500 annual limit for
illness or accident incurred by eligible persons not
covered by health insurance or Worker’s Compensation
Insurance. No one individual can exceed $5000.00
within three consecutive years.
The $2500 annual limit shall fund up to a $500 maximum on
dental expenses (unless accident related) and up to $200 for
glasses/contact lenses/eye exam. There is a $500 annual maximum
for vision correction as a result of an accident. Eye conditions
that are not accident related but are medical necessary to
restore normal sight will fall under the annual $2500 limit.
Mental Health/Substance Abuse will be covered under medical
services. Inpatient treatment of MH/SA will be covered on
a case-by-case basis.
The $2500 annual assistance may be used for the funeral expense
of an eligible person and/or a member of their immediate family.
All allowable funeral payments shall be made to the funeral
home providing the service. Outstanding medical bills of the
deceased may be eligible for payment. A copy of the Death
Certificate will need to be provided to obtain assistance.
Other assistance may be considered in the event of fire or
other disaster. This provision will be considered on a case-by-case
basis with a $2500 annual limit.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES
The THAFI Fund Administrator will make final determination
regarding validity of submitted bills or assistance requests.
The Plan Administrator is authorized to request proof of employment,
length of employment or Texas Racing Commission licensing.
Hearing aids shall be processed as a medical procedure.
No assistance shall be provided for reconstructive or cosmetic
surgery unless it is necessary due to the result of an accident
or major medical condition.
NO PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE TO THE APPLICANT. ALL
APPROVED PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE DIRECTLY TO THE PROVIDER OF
THE SERVICE. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS POLICY IS FOR DISASTER
RELIEF PAYMENT.
THAFI SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIMS AGAINST
MEDICAL PERSONNEL OR FACILITIES AS A RESULT OF PAYMENT OF
APPLICANTS EXPENSES.
THAFI SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OR BE HELD
LIABLE FOR ANY EXPENSES INCURRED WHICH ARE OVER AND ABOVE
THE PAYMENT LIMITS OR THAT ARE INCURRED BY A PERSON WHO HAS
NOT BEEN APPROVED FOR ASSISTANCE BY THAFI.
A PERSON WHO INCURRES CHARGES OVER AND ABOVE
THE APPROVED ALLOWABLE EXPENSE MUST MAKE AND MEET SATISFACTORY
ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE SERVICE PROVIDER OR MAY BE DISQUALIFIED
FROM THE THAFI PROGRAM UNTIL SUCH ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MET.
PRIVATE INURMENT SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED; THEREFORE,
OWNERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THAFI.
AN APPLICANT MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE IF
THEY HAVE HAD A LICENSE THAT DISQUALIFIES THEM WITHIN SIX
MONTHS OF APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE.
SHOULD AN APPLICANT BE LICENSED WITH A DISQUALIFYING
LICENSE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF RECEIVING ASSISTANCE, THAT PERSON
WILL BE INELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FOR ONE YEAR FOLLOWING
THE DATE OF ISSUANCE OF INELIGIBLE LICENSE.
ANY MISUSE OR ABUSE OF THE THAFI PROGRAM WILL
NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL LEAD TO POSSIBLE EXPLUSION FROM
FURTHER THAFI ASSISTANCE.
THAFI GUIDE LINES ARE CHANGED AT THE SOLE DISCRETION
OF THE FUND AND ARE MODIFIED, EXTENDED, ALTERED, AND REVISED
FROM TIME TO TIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
THAFI IS HIPAA COMPLIANT. NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
MAY BE PICKED UP AT ANY TRACK OFFICE OR AT THAFI HEADQUARTERS
IN AUSTIN, TX.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The THAFI will make every effort to supply its members with
names of physicians and pharmacies who have contracted with
THAFI for direct payment. THAFI cannot guarantee that it will
have access to such providers at any given track location
or for any particular health issue.
Your local Horsemen’s Liaison will be happy to answer
any questions that you might have regarding your application
for assistance.
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