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Parsonage
Family
Care Plan

Memphis Conference of The
United Methodist Church



BISHOP THEUNITEDMETHODISTCHURCH CONFERENCES
KENNETH L. CARDER MEMPHIS
NASHVILLE AREA TENNESSEE
520 COMMERCE STREET. SUITE 201

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 31203
TELEPHONE 615-742.8834
FAX 615-742-3726

May 20, 1994

To the Pastors and Families of the Memphis Conference

The Parsonage Family Care Plan has been a valuable program of service of the Memphis Conference
Board of Ordained Ministry since January of 1985, The Plan has enabled our Parsonage Families to
receive needed pastoral care and support, and I am grateful for the vision which the Board has had in
providing this essential ministry to our parsonage families.
You and I know that we are not only those whose "Call" is to serve but whose personal needs require
supportive care and special services as well. The Parsonage Family Care Plan is an essential resource in
this area, and I commend it to you.
The booklet which follows is an explanation of the Parsonage Family Care Plan and the inventory of
services available. It is a competent and confidential means of giving "Care for the Caretakers". It will
provide strength and support for those who need it.
The "treasure" of ministry and parsonage life is in "earthen vessels," and the Plan purposes a vital
ministry of care in view of this primary premise.
With you I celebrate the Tenth Anniversary of the Plan and give thanks for it.

Sincerely,

Kenneth L. Carder



INTRODUCTION

The Parsonage Family Care Program of the Memphis Conference began in
January, 1985, as both a reimbursement and referral source for clergy families.
The program has undergone significant changes since its inception. Funding for
the program has increased through the years, and usage of it has steadily grown.
This resource financially undergirds individual, group, marriage, and family
counseling for clergy family members who would otherwise find it difficult to
afford these services.

One of the strengths of the program is its protection of client confidentiality.
Through the assigning of case numbers to reimbursement forms, the identity of
persons using the program is protected. No records of individual client usage are
kept by name in any conference office. Individual records are maintained solely by
the therapist providing counseling services.

To the degree that the well-being of clergypersons and their family members is
strengthened through counseling resources, our congregations and their
ministries are enhanced. Caregivers must have resources of care in a highly
stressful vocational environment.

On the tenth anniversary of The Parsonage Family Care Plan's introduction, we
invite you to review this guidebook. It incorporates current policies and
reimbursement schedules including instructions for accessing the program. In
addition there is a new section on tips for selecting a counselor or therapist.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

A clergyperson or family member decides to seek counseling. While the impetus
to seek professional assistance may come from any number of sources, the final
decision to do so belongs to the person(s) involved. Seeking such assistance is a
positive step in coping with situational problems and/or experiencing personal
and spiritual growth.

Once the decision is made, it is the person's responsibility to select a counselor
(see tips on choosing a counselor on Page 4 below). At the initial counseling
session participants carry a program form with them to the counselor. Two forms
are included with this program booklet (one in back and one in center of booklet
to tear out). Additional forms can be procured from each District Office, the
Conference Treasurer's Office, or the Board of Ordained Ministry Program
Chairperson (consult the Journal for the current Chairperson). Feel free to copy
the forms included in this booklet, as well.

The counselor agrees to work within the framework of the program. She/he will
then submit the form to the Conference Treasurer's Office for the amount of
reimbursement due based on the Pastor's TOTAL FAMILY income.

Reimbursement will be made directly from the Treasurer's Office to the counselor
providing services based on program guidelines. Under normal circumstances the
individual pastor or family member will not need to contact anyone else about
receiving services.

Under certain conditions the Conference Health Insurance Program will also
assist with reimbursement. Generally such reimbursement is limited to particular
medical diagnoses and therapists who have credentials as psychiatrists, clinical
psychologists, or pastoral counselors holding membership in the American
Association of Pastoral Counselors. See the discussion on Page 7 below for
further information about joint reimbursement.

Persons covered under the program include the following family members:
clergyperson, spouse, and dependent children. Under most circumstances
dependent children are understood to be children age 18 or under receiving at
least 50% of their support from the clergy family. If the dependent children are full
time college or university students the age limit is 22 and under.

CARE FOR THE CARETAKERS

Clergypersons are familiar with parishioners and other community members
seeking assistance with major life issues. The range of human and relational
problems with which clergypersons deal is immense. Some of those hurts include
grief and loss, substance abuse, marriage and family conflict, depression, suicidal
thoughts and feelings, sexual abuse, and financial crises. What we sometimes
forget is clergypersons and their families may experience each of the above
problems. What is different for clergy families is situational fear of seeking
professional support for these human needs.

Congregations and the community at large often have unrealistic expectations of
clergy family members. The expectation of perfection is sometimes
communicated in subtle and not so subtle ways. The result is that clergy family
members are understandably reluctant .to share vulnerabilities with others. We
sometimes avoid seeking help for the very problems which others bring to us.

A second pressure point for clergypersons and their family members is the nature
of the appointive system. We fear that if our needs were known, the discovery of
them might affect future appointments. We sometimes seek to hide our problems
in the attempt to protect ourselves. Unfortunately, hidden needs usually escalate
if untended. While these two situational factors affect clergy families, a sign of
grace-filled living is the willingness to reach out for healing resources when
needed. As you explore the possibility of seeking counseling resources for
yourself or others, consider the suggestions below for finding competent and
caring therapists.

TIPS FOR SELECTING A COUNSELOR OR THERAPIST

A. Seek referrals from persons whom you trust. Friends, relatives, or
professional colleagues who have benefited from counseling in the past may be
able to suggest a person or persons whom they have found to be effective. While
"walking through the Yellow Pages" may give you a list of names and phone
numbers, you cannot be assured of the effectiveness of random selections from
the phone book.

B. Check the qualifications of the counselors whom you are considering. Do not
be afraid to ask about their academic degrees, professional licenses or

certifications, areas of therapeutic experience, and clinical membership in
professional groups like the American Psychological Association or the American
Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

C. Look for a professional whose personality and values are compatible with
your own. While an effective therapist will not always agree with or please you, it
is important the therapist you choose be someone with whom you feel
comfortable. Feelings of mistrust, discomfort, or the awareness that "something is
not right" can be significant clues that this therapist is not for you. Therapeutic
work can only prosper in an atmosphere of trust and overall affirmation.

D. Interview prospective therapists to see how well they may meet your needs.
Feel free to ask how the therapist has dealt with problems similar to yours in the
past. With what problems and personality types does the therapist work best?
With what problems and personality types does the therapist have the greatest
difficulty? Has the therapist ever faced disciplinary action by state licensing
bodies or professional associations? In short, do not be timid about asking
questions which pertain to the professional's suitability to work with you!

E. When you have tentatively selected a counselor, work out a contract with
her/him specifying expectations about a wide range of issues including the
following ones:

1. Frequency of appointments
2. Methods and limitations of cancelling appointments (It is legitimate for a
therapist to charge for a missed appointment or a last minute cancellation!)
3. Availability of the therapist for phone calls in emergencies
4. Costs and methods of reimbursement (Will the therapist accept the fee structure of

the Parsonage Family Care Plan?)
5. How long will sessions last? What hours are available for scheduling

appointments?
6. What is the average length of treatment for problems similar to yours?
7. If conflicts develop which are more than disagreements, how will the therapist seek

to resolve them with you?

Finally, be aware that there are unethical and incompetent counselors and
therapists just as there are such persons in other professions. Be cautious about
services advertised flamboyantly, crassly, and with obvious sales techniques. Most
therapists in advertising will list only their name, degree, specialization, certification,
address, and phone number. Beware of therapists' claims which seem too good to
be true. There are few if any quick fixes to complex human problems.

Therapy is far from an exact science. Dealing with therapeutic problems requires
hard work and commitment on the part of therapist and client. If the therapist has a
ready diagnosis and treatment answer, quickly offered without hearing you
thoroughly, beware. Most effective therapists do not give advice or tell clients what
to do. While methods differ, most therapists work with clients in empowering the
client to find his/her own answers.



CLAIM FORM AND PAYMENT SCALE
PARSONAGE FAMILY CARE PLAN
BOARD OF ORDAINED MINISTRY
Memphis Annual Conference
United Methodist Church

July 1, 2007

(Revised)

SUMMARY OF PAYMENT METHODS

The Parsonage Family Care Program seeks to insure that service costs will not be
too costly or prohibitive to the clergyperson and family members. Costs for
services may be covered through a combination of the following methods.

A. A sliding fee scale that adjusts costs to clergy and family members through a
schedule based on combined family income (includes clergyperson's salary,
travel, and utilities, and spouse's salary).

B. The Memphis Conference Group health insurance plan will pay for a portion of
service costs when services are allowable. Social Security numbers are used and
claim forms sent directly to the carrier's office, NOT the conference office
location. Check with Conference Treasurer's Office at address on form for covered
providers and conditions. Money provided through the Parsonage Family Care
Plan is reduced in accordance with the amount provided by Health Insurance.

C. When 12 sessions per year have been completed, an extension of the number of
sessions is possible. An evaluation by the Chairperson, Parsonage Family Care
Program, in consultation with the counselee's District Superintendent will be
made. Recommendations from the counselee's therapist may also be requested. A
final decision will be made by the Chairperson on a case by case basis. The
number of hours per year extended in such cases will depend on the documented
need and available program resources.

The cost to the clergy person and family members (i.e. spouse and dependent children)
for services will be based on the following sliding fee schedule representing combined
household income.

INCOME LEVELS AND AMOUNT PARTICIPANT WILL PAY:

Up to $9,999 ..............................................................................$ 2
$10,000 to $15,999 ......................................................$ 5
$16,000 to $19,999 ......................................................$10
$20,000 to $20,999 ......................................................$12
$21,000 to $21,999 ........................................................$15
$22,000 to $22,999 ......................................................$22

$23,000 to $94,999 - $.75 per hour for each $1,000 annual family income.

For example: $30,000 - $22.50
$45,000 - $33.75
$80,000 - $60.00

PARSONAGE FAMILY CARE PLAN BOARD OF ORDAINED MINISTRY
MEMPHIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Claim Form

(Rev. July, 2007)
(Effective July 1, 2007)

Clergy Person's Name: __________________________ SSN: __________________________

Spouse's Name: __________________________ Dependent's Name: ___________________

Annual Household Income $________________

Session(s) No. _____ (12 Maximum per calendar year) Date: _________________

Name of Therapist: ____________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________

Phone Number: _______________________________________________________

Certificate/Licensure: _____________________ By Whom? __________________

Maximum Allowable Fee per Hour $90.00

Less Amount paid by Clergy/Family member see scale below $______________
Amount due from Board of Ordained Ministry $______________

Times (#) _____ Sessions $______________

Any charge above $90 per hour is to be paid by clergy.

Therapist, please give one copy of this form to program participant.

Mail a completed form to: Board of Ordained Ministry
Attn: Treasurer's Office
24 Corporate Boulevard
Jackson TN 38305

The cost to the clergy person and family members (i.e. spouse and dependent children)
for services will be based on the following sliding fee schedule representing combined

INCOME LEVELS AND AMOUNT PARTICIPANT WILL PAY:

Up to $9,999 ..............................................................................$ 2
$10,000 to $15,999 ......................................................$ 5
$16,000 to $19,999 ......................................................$10
$20,000 to $20,999 ......................................................$12
$21,000 to $21,999 ........................................................$15
$22,000 to $22,999 ......................................................$22

$23,000 to $94,999 - $.75 per hour for each $1,000 annual family income.

For example: $30,000 - $22.50
$45,000 - $33.75
$80,000 - $60.00

If the therapist is vague or unclear about fees, know that this is an unethical practice.
When you ask about training or credentials and the therapist appears uncomfortable or
dismisses your questions as unimportant or improper, realize the therapist may be
hiding a significant professional problem. Do your therapeutic sessions include
intimate or obscene language, gestures, or actions by the therapist which seem
inappropriate? Does the therapist focus on sexual issues which seem unrelated to the
problem at hand? If the therapy does not seem productive and you ask for a second
opinion or referral, does the therapist resist such requests? While therapists may be
misunderstood by clients, it is important to listen to your own feelings should any of the
above issues surface. If in discussing perceived problems with your therapist, you are
not satisfied with her/his explanation, seek a second opinion.

BILLING AND INSURANCE PROCEDURES

The current maximum fee which the Parsonage Family • Care plan will pay is
$90.00 per client hour. CLERGY AND FAMILY MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
ALL FEES IN EXCESS OF $90.00 PER CLIENT HOUR.

The Conference Group Health Insurance Plan will cover a portion of the costs of
some counseling services. Coverage depends on the credentials of the service
provider and the diagnosis being treated (e.g., most health insurance programs
will not pay for marriage counseling). Normally, reimbursable conditions are those
described in THE DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL, FOUR of the
American Psychiatric Association. The determination of coverage will be on an
individual case basis, depending upon the above factors.

WHEN INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER A SPECIFIC SERVICE ON WHICH ONE
FILES, THE SERVICE FEE WILL REVERT TO THE PARSONAGE FAMILY CARE
PLAN SLIDING SCALE.

WHEN INSURANCE DOES COVER A SPECIFIC SERVICE, INSURANCE BENEFITS
WILL BE COORDINATED WITH PARSONAGE FAMILY CARE PLAN BENEFITS SO
THAT DOUBLE REIMBURSEMENT WILL NOT OCCUR.

CASE EXAMPLES

A member of a parsonage family with combined income of $25,000 qualifies for
insurance coverage. The service provider charges $90.00 per hour. The health
insurance pays half of the fee or $45.00 leaving a balance of $45.00 for which the
parsonage family member would normally be responsible. Since on the sliding
scale of the plan the family would be responsible for $18.75 per hour, the plan will
pay the -difference between the balance due and the $18.75 per hour. Thus the
plan would provide $9.38 per hour for twelve sessions.

A different example is illustrated by a parsonage family with combined income of
$50,000. The service provider charges $90.00 per hour. The health insurance pays
half of the fee or $45.00 leaving a balance of $45.00 for which the parsonage family
member would normally be responsible. Since on the sliding scale of the plan the
family would be responsible for $37.50 per hour, the plan pays $7.50.

In summary the person pays her/his share based on the sliding fee scale. The
Conference B.O.M. through the Plan pays the difference between the net balance
owed the service provider and the "sliding fee" scale. Please remember that
participants are responsible for any fees above the current fee of $90.00 per hour.
Insurance claims should be filed directly by the service provider with the
Conference Insurance Plan.

LIMITATIONS

«*:I The Conference B.O.M. will underwrite the cost for 12 visits per family member
per calendar year. Visits beyond the 12 per year are the responsibility of the
parsonage family. In unusual circumstances the counselor and counselee may

request additional sessions from the program. In making these requests the

counselor states the therapeutic reasons for seeking additional sessions and

indicates the number of additional sessions requested. In addition the

parsonage family's District Superintendent will be consulted as to the

advisability of additional sessions. The final determination is made by the

Chairperson, Parsonage Family Care Plan.

A person or family faces the responsibility of choosing his/her/their own
therapist. The Plan is a reimbursement program and is not responsible for the
quality of care provided by the self-chosen therapist.

CONCLUSION

Persons and families need confidential and professional services in dealing with the wide
variety of human/emotional problems. We show maturity, health, and faithfulness in
recognizing our need and taking initiative to deal with the issues at hand.

THE PARSONAGE FAMILY CARE PLAN IS:
 A Family Program
 Considerate of the need for Confidentiality Voluntary Self-Referral
 A Reimbursement Program making professional services affordable
 A Program which can be coordinated with Insurance Benefits where Applicable
 A Program which maximizes your choice of provider

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING PERSONS FOR PROVIDING SUPPORT IN
DEVELOPING THIS BOOKLET JUNE 1, 1994:

Pat Woody Memphis, TN
Cover Design and Editorial Assistance

Cheryl Vaughn Paducah, KY
Layout and Word Processing

The Conference Council on Ministries Support Staff
For Providing Printing Services

University of Tennessee/Agricultural Extension Service
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING AND THERAPY IN TENNESSEE:
A CONSUMER'S GUIDE

R. Craig Jordan Chairperson
Parsonage Family Care Plan Advisory Committee

Sandra Burnett Member
Parsonage Family Care Plan Advisory Committee

Memphis Conference The United Methodist Church