| Millions of Americans lack private or public health | | | | policy that leaves many medical bills inadequately |
| insurance for at least part of each year, and the | | | | covered, ask your child's doctor, a social worker, or a |
| number of uninsured continues to grow. Children | | | | local advocacy group for information about public and |
| under the age of 18 make up a large percentage of | | | | private sources of financial help. Civic, social welfare |
| the uninsured, even though their parents work. Many | | | | and religious groups sometimes have funds available |
| families who do have health insurance face high | | | | for at least emergency or short-term medical needs. |
| out-of-pocket expenses for deductions and | | | | Local charitable foundations can also be a source of |
| co-payments. Also they may have to pay for medical | | | | assistance. Ask your chamber of commerce about |
| services that are not covered with the health | | | | local businesses that donate money to causes that |
| insurance provider. Families with children who have | | | | help children. Be creative, resourceful, and patient in |
| special needs often experience financial hardship from | | | | your search for help. Also remember to be persistent |
| inadequate insurance, limitations on benefits, lack of | | | | in your search. Sometimes it may be frustrating |
| coverage for certain types of services or equipment, | | | | trying to get help for your child, however be |
| and limits on maximum lifetime benefits in addition to | | | | persistent with your search. Children with extreme |
| the burden of day-to-day care for their child. Some | | | | medical needs often qualify for the federal Medicaid |
| health insurance plans do not cover pre-existing | | | | health insurance program, but eligibility requirements |
| conditions, or require you to wait a certain length of | | | | vary from state to state. Many other government |
| time before the condition will be covered. If you are | | | | programs have been established to help families |
| switching to a new health care plan, make sure your | | | | through a crisis or to meet their basic needs, such as |
| child's condition will be covered. Read the insurance | | | | for food. These programs include emergency and |
| policy carefully or ask your employee benefits | | | | temporary cash assistance programs, the food |
| representative or insurance agent exactly what | | | | stamps program, the Supplemental Security Income |
| types of services will be covered. Most services | | | | program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and |
| provided in a hospital are covered by insurance and | | | | food distribution programs. See if your child is eligible |
| managed care plans, but many community-based | | | | for any of these programs. To find out what |
| services-nursing services, social work, nutrition | | | | benefits may be available to you, contact your state |
| services, physical and occupational therapy, respite | | | | public assistance agency, your local Social Security |
| care, and family counseling-are not covered or are | | | | Office, and local chapters of national advocacy |
| only partially covered. You may have to pay for such | | | | organizations. Reductions in federal and state income |
| services yourself. If you feel that your child has been | | | | taxes are available to all taxpayers who incur |
| wrongly denied coverage for a service, contact your | | | | excessive expenses from caring for a child with a |
| employee benefits department, insurance agent, or | | | | chronic illness or disabilities. |
| the state department of insurance. If you do not | | | | Spring Creek Toys offers Band In a Box, Bank |
| have private health insurance or have a modest | | | | AmeriKid ATM, Barbie Tea Set Basket. |