Application Guidelines
(revised 5/5/06)

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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