Early Intervention Cost Model Complete
During our October BT3 Alliance meeting we were joined by Jeanna Capito and Danielle Fuentes Johnson from Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies who provided an overview of our region’s Early Intervention (EI) cost modeling work. The report is complete and can be found here.
What are some important findings?
- The true cost of a full year of early intervention services is $186,655, or nearly 5 times more than the available average revenue to cover those services.
- Serving rural communities using a fee-for-service model results in increased unbillable time due to factors such as increased travel time and missed visits. As a result, a full-time EI provider earns 33% less when they are only able to bill for 20 hours a week, compared to being able to bill for 30 hours a week.
- As independent contractors, EI professionals are responsible for a myriad of out-of-pocket expenses further impacting their take-home pay. When you account for self-employment costs, mileage and travel, administration costs, and materials, the remaining earnings for an individual are $34,522 or $16.60/hour.
We look forward to using the report, messaging guide, and cost model tool to have conversations with community members, providers, parents, and legislators to not only highlight the challenges in the current system but discuss enhancements and changes to the model to ensure eligible infants and toddlers across the Adirondacks receive this critical, impactful service.
