Client Resources

SIMS Service Transition

INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Overview

For the past 29 years, SIMS Foundation has been honored to provide mental health services to Austin’s music community, serving more than 25,000 musicians, music industry professionals, and their dependent families with counseling, substance use recovery, and psychiatric services.

Recently, SIMS Foundation announced a difficult decision to temporarily pause services while the organization undergoes a strategic planning and service model restructuring process. We understand this has been very difficult news for many in our community, and we apologize for any negative impacts this may have on you. Please know that our highest priority is to support our clients and providers to ensure they have the support they need as we navigate this transition.

We know that many of you have questions about the transition and about SIMS services in 2025, and we are doing our best to keep everyone updated with the latest information as it becomes available.

At this time, we are planning the following changes:

SIMS Clients with healthcare insurance plans will be connected to providers who may provide services covered under their existing plans. The providers will be vetted by SIMS clinical staff to ensure they are a good fit for serving the music community and SIMS will continue to provide personalized case management services to all existing clients.

Clients who are uninsured or under-insured may be supported with direct payments from SIMS to providers. During open-enrollment (11/1 – 1/15), SIMS will work with community resources to explore insurance plans available for those uninsured clients. Clients unable to obtain sufficient health insurance coverage may continue to be supported with SIMS covering the majority of the costs for their care starting in February 2025.

SIMS will explore expansion into new holistic wellness programs (yoga, meditation, etc.) to provide extended inclusive options for supporting mental health needs.

The goal is to transition all current clients into this new service model by February 1, 2025, if not sooner. After the transition is complete, we anticipate onboarding new clients from the current waitlist to connect them with services using this new model.

SIMS Foundation is actively working to secure the funds needed to provide services during the transition period. Updates will be provided as these efforts continue.

PLEASE NOTE: Clients receiving services during transition:

- clients receiving weekly counseling sessions will receive 1 monthly session, paid by SIMS during the transition.

- clients receiving medication management services who are uninsured will receive 1 monthly session (at most) paid for by SIMS during the transition.

Care Options for Client During the Transition

Discounted Self Pay | Low-Cost Counseling | Open Enrollment

Discounted Self-Pay

If you can afford to pay the discounted SIMS rate for your services out of pocket ($65/session for counseling, $80/visit* for medication management follow-up appointments), feel free to reach out to your provider as soon as possible and let them know you intend to pay out of pocket. You may then continue services without disruption.  We understand this may be a hardship for some clients. Please remember this is temporary. If you cannot afford these rates for the next 90 days, please read on for other options.

*CARMAHealth has recently increased their rate to $110/visit for medication management follow-up appointments.

Low-Cost Counseling

Click here to view a list of local lower-cost counseling options.
For a list of organizations whose mission is to support members of the music industry (financial assistance, referrals for behavioral health care, etc), please click here.
For a general list of other helpful resources that might be of assistance, please click here.

Current SIMS providers who currently accept insurance:

Provider directory search pages for each insurance carrier (in case a client’s SIMS provider does accept insurance):

What to Expect

If your counseling provider accepts your insurance coverage, please reach out to them directly to transition your billing option to insurance benefits as soon as possible to continue treatment with your current provider with minimal disruption in service.
Many adult counseling clients who were authorized for weekly therapy sessions at the time services were paused will receive one counseling session per month, funded by SIMS, with their current provider during the pause period.
All uninsured adult patients with medication management services will receive (up to) one medication management visit per month during the service pause. We will assist clients to ensure they have access to the care they need to continue their medications.
For insured clients with medication management services, both Seton Mind Institute (SMI) and Carma Health accept the insurance most SIMS clients have (including Sendero!). We strongly encourage clients to reach out to Carma and/or SMI asap to switch their billing to their insurance carrier for medication management appointments.
All minors will receive (up to) one medication management and one monthly therapy session regardless of their insurance status during the temporary service pause.

Open Enrollment

The open enrollment period for health insurance has started and runs from November 1, 2024, through January 15, 2024. The Open Enrollment Period for 2025 ends on January 15th, but you must enroll by December 15th for coverage to start 1/1/25. This is an important opportunity to explore coverage options for the upcoming year. We’re happy to share our community partners are available to help our clients navigate this process.

For Assistance:

Musicians: You can reach out to HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians) for guidance and support during the enrollment process. Click here to learn more: HAAM Open Enrollment. Need help paying for your monthly premium? HAAM may be able to assist members with that, too! Read more about their Premium Assistance Program here.
Music Industry Professionals: Our partners at Foundation Communities are available to assist you with navigating your health insurance options. Please click here for more information.

Taking the time to explore your insurance options now can help ensure access to comprehensive healthcare, including behavioral health services, in the year ahead. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 512-494-1007 or clinical@simsfoundation.org.

Reach Out!

Again, we know this transition creates challenges for many, and please know that we do not make this decision lightly.

We are here and ready to support you with any questions you have at any time! Please call 512.494.1007 or email us at clinical@simsfoundation.org.

SIMS is not a 24-Hour crisis line. If you are in crisis, please call 512-472-HELP or 911.