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Insurance
Tips
(please
see disclaimer at the bottom of this page)
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Tip
#1
I can't offer
much advice regarding HMO's or PPO's, but we are enrolled in an HMO and
it paid 70% of our bill. But in Ohio, and probably most states, there is
a program called Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps that will cover
the remainder of the bill, or the entire bill if a child isn't insured.
We applied and were accepted...it's not based on financial status. This
covered everything that was needed for the first 90 days of our daughter's
life. We are now re-applying for coverage past the 90-day mark and that
IS based on your financial ability to pay. I would contact the department
of health in your county and see if they have any information on state
assistance. This helped us tremendously because our daughter's bill was
about $50,000, so our portion would have been $15,000.
Tip#2
I have an
HMO and my son has received absolutely spectacular care. Nothing was ever
questioned. I had to use their medical centers but we were sent to
the best in the state for the specialists. Unfortunately, this HMO is pulling
out of the state of Rhode Island and now I am faced with the same question.....I
think I will stay with an HMO though.
Tip #3
Just a note
about Early Intervention...(I'm a special ed teacher) If I am correct...From
my minimal early childhood studies I recall it being a federal program....One
of those mandated by the federal govt. and run by the state govt.
You can find out who to contact from your local school department.
Tip #4
Our medical
bills for our son - his surgeries, hospitalization and nursing have been
in excess of $1 million in 18 months. Insurance covered 80% up to
a cap which we clearly met and then 100% subject to certain coverage restrictions.
I would STRONGLY recommend choosing coverage where you are not limited
to their list of doctors. As
issues arise
you want to be able to go to experts. In New York there is an Early
Intervention program for children with disabilities. Through that program
my son gets speech therapy at home twice a week, physical therapy once
a week and occupational therapy once a month - all at no cost.
Tip #5
I forgot to
mention that we also have Early Intervention in Ohio (as does New York),
so Missouri just may have it! A case manager comes to our home to coordinate
any therapeutic care our daughter may need as she grows up...speech and
physical therapy, a dietician, I can't remember it all. It saves us having
to drive to Columbus (about 1-1/2 hours away), because the therapists come
to our home.
Tip #6
My son was
born 20 years ago and in his short 20months of life our insurance bills
were over 150,000 dollars. Our bluecross/blue shield paid for most and
then since he was in the hospital so long (months back then because trached
kids weren't sent home--he was the second child at CHOP to be sent home
treated) SSI and Medicaid kicked in and covered everything that insurance
didn't cover. We were very lucky.
Tip #7
Add your tip
here!
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