Having healthcare for your child is one of the most important things you can provide as a parent. But even the best insurance plans don’t always cover medical expenses or equipment that your child may need for a new or existing illnesses. Paying out of pocket on the difference can financially burden working families — though I’m sure most parents would agree that being in debt is better than seeing your child go without medical care!
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) wants to help families with children who need health care treatments, services or equipment that’s isn’t covered, or not fully covered, by their commercial health insurance plan.
The UHCCF is seeking grant applications from families in need of this type of financial assistance, offering up to $5,000 per grant to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids.
To be eligible for a children’s healthcare grant from UHCCF, these qualifications must be met:
- Children must be 16 years of age or younger
- Parents or legal guardians must meet economic guidelines (see chart for details)
- Families need to reside in the United States and have a commercial health insurance plan
Grants are available for medical expenses families have incurred 60 days prior to the date of application as well as for ongoing and future medical needs. Parents or legal guardians may apply for grants at www.uhccf.org, and there is no application deadline.
In 2012, UHCCF awarded more than 1,300 grants, worth more than $4.1 million, to families across the United States for treatments associated with medical conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, hearing loss, autism, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, ADHD and cerebral palsy. As successful fund-raising efforts continue to grow, UHCCF is hoping to help more children and families in 2013.
