Getting Additional Coverage
Having enough health care coverage may be another challenge. Some families find that having a child with complex medical care means a lot of medical bills. If you have employer offered insurance coverage, you may want to re-evaluate your insurance plan at the next opportunity to make sure it is still the best one for your family’s needs. Find someone who can help you understand your coverage needs if necessary.
There may be programs in your state that help cover medical costs, such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Medicaid offers health coverage to lower income families and sometimes children with certain medical conditions. CHIP provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much for Medicaid. For more information on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, visit Medicaid.gov at: https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/beneficiary-resources/index.html
Eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP coverage can vary from state to state. If you are in doubt if your child qualifies, apply anyway. Be sure to explain your child’s health coverage needs and ask if there are any programs that can help.
The Social Security Administration also offers some benefits to children with disabilities. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program makes monthly payments to individuals who are disabled. Your child, if under 18, may qualify if he or she has a medical condition that meets their definition of disability. Families must fall within certain income and resource guidelines.
In some states Medicaid comes automatically with SSI eligibility. You can get information about these programs at their website https://www.ssa.gov/, calling 800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security Administration office.
Title V Programs
Every state has services for children with special health care needs. The Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, or Title V of the Social Security Act, funds these services. The grant tasks each state with ensuring the health of our nation’s women and children, including children with special health care needs and their families. Each state is permitted to tailor its services and programs to best meet its specific needs. This variation between states can be confusing because state Title V programs often have different titles and types of service. Title V funds support programs for children with special health needs to facilitate the development of family-centered, community-based, coordinated systems of care. To learn what programs are offered in your state, visit the Association of Maternal and Child Health Services website to view your state’s profile at: https://amchp.org/title-v-state-profiles/
