Knowing where to look

Having a child with a critical illness can result in overwhelming medical bills. There are many resources available to help with these - you just have to know where to look.  A good place to start is financial aid through the children's hospital where your child is treated.  While this is based on income, you may be surprised how high the income guidelines are.  I recommend calling the financial aid office and asking what the required income limits are to see if you qualify.  Our local children's hospital has the information right on the back of the hospital bills.  They do require a lot of supporting documents to verify income and assets, however if you qualify, many times they will cover your child's hospital bills entirely! Do not feel like you are taking advantage of a situation by asking for financial assistance in paying your child's medical bills.  It is very stressful to manage your child's healthcare and mounding medical bills only adds to that stress.  Besides, you will have plenty of other medical bills to pay apart from the hospital. Most doctor offices and hospitals are very willing to set up payment plans at no interest.  So every time I receive a large bill, I call to set up payments.  Keep in mind, you don't have to take the first offer they give you.  If they suggest paying $100/month, but you can only swing $25/month, tell them.  If they say no, ask to speak with a supervisor. If you are willing to pay something every month, chances are they will be flexible. The next place to look for help is with your child's medications.  Many pharmaceutical companies offer cost share programs to help pay for medication they manufacture.  Some are based on income, however, many are based solely on your child being prescribed the medication.  For example, my daughter's growth hormone, Humatrope, offers a cost share program where they will pay up to $200/month towards our co-pay for the medicine.  This is not income based and can be renewed every year.  I simply went to their website and signed up for the co-pay assistance card.  When I refill her medication at the pharmacy, I show them the card and they deduct $200 from my cost.  My daughter is also on a blood clotting factor that has a deductible assistance program.  They will pay up to $12,000 of our insurance deductible for the medicine.  This is through the manufacturer, CSL Behring, and also is not income related.  Many other pharmaceutical companies also offer cost share programs.  I have listed a few to the right, but I encourage you to do a google search for every medication your child is on to see if a cost share program is available. If there are not any cost share programs available for your child's medications or you still need assistance in paying for them, there are some nonprofits that are willing to help based on income.  I have listed some to the right. I hope this helps as a place to start in handling your child's medical bills.  Be watching for a blog on  "Playing the Insurance Deductible Game",  I will discuss ways to plan ahead to let cost share programs meet your family deductible.