Insurance Information

For many families their child's needs far exceed their insurance coverage.  Many families have high co-pays and deductibles or limited coverage that may not pay for physician recommended treatments or services. There are options:

Public Insurance Options for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities: TEFRA is a Medical Assistance program for children under the age of 18 with disabilities.  Eligibility for TEFRA is based on the child's disabilities and NOT ON the parent's income, although there is a parental fee based on the parent's income. 

To learn more about TEFRA: DHS Web-site

United Healthcare Children's Foundation Grants- the United Healthcare Children's Foundation is offering support to meet the needs of children nationwide with assistance grants for medical services not fully covered by health insurance. Parents and caretakers across the country will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000.00 for health-care services that will help improve their children's health and quality of life.

Examples of the types of medical services covered by the foundation grants include speech therapy; physical therapy and psychotherapy sessions; medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids and eye-glasses, and orthodontic and dental treatments. To be eligible for the grants, children must be 16 years old or younger. Families must meet economic guidelines, live in the U.S. and be covered by a commercial health insurance plan. For more information, visit: www.uhccf.org

A Consumer's Guide to Getting and Keeping Health Insurance in Minnesota:  http://healthinsuranceinfo.net/mn.pdf

Errors and Patient Safety: www.ahrq.gov/qual/errorsix.htm

Medical Links to Financial Guides and Information: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/mcshn/finres.htm

Military Personnel:

Medical, Family Support, and Educational Services Are Available for Exceptional Family Members:  www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-317R 

Other Helpful Information

Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse
Health Coverage Options

The Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse provides information and publications on health coverage options. This information can be useful when consumers are looking for health care coverage in Minnesota. www.health.state.mn.us/clearinghouse/clhlthcov.htm

Emergency Preparedness for Children with Special Health Care Needs:   To facilitate prompt and appropriate emergency care for children with special health care needs, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) have developed an Emergency Information Form which can be used as a tool to transfer critical information about these children. www.aap.org/advocacy/emergprep.htm