| The Texas Horsemen’s Assistance Fund, Inc. (THAFI)
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. An indigent person is defined as a person who
cannot reasonably expect to pay his or her most basic living
expenses and falls far below the national poverty level as
established by the U.S. Federal government. Normally, an indigent
person has no home, no vehicle and for whom basic day to day
expenses are beyond his or her ability to pay. This assistance
does not apply to owners, owner/trainers,
owner/assistant trainers, 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 and
notarize an Affidavit swearing to the fact of his/her employment
& income, then assistance will 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 $2,500 annual limit with
a maximum of $5,000 in any three year period for illness or
accident incurred by eligible persons who are not
covered by health insurance or worker’s compensation
insurance.
The $2,500 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 $2,500 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 $2,500 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 $2,500 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 PAYMENT
FOR DISASTER RELIEF.
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 AND OWNER/TRAINERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE
FROM THAFI.
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.
Each application shall be reviewed on an individual
basis and the Fund Administrator shall make the final determination
of eligibility. Any questions or concerns regarding the Fund
shall be addressed to: Marsha Rountree at (512) 657-9799 or
mrountree@texashorsemen.com.
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