What other funds may be available?
There are both federal and state programs available to assist with the financial burden associated with transplantation. Because the programs vary from state to state, families are encouraged to contact their local health department or the transplant social worker early on.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program sends money every month to lower-income children with a chronic illness or disability in addition to automatically qualifying your child to receive health care coverage through Medicaid. If your child is eligible, benefits will be paid back only to the application date, so don’t wait to call.
State Medical Assistance
Maryland residents may be eligible for services through the Maryland Medicaid Program or the Maryland Children’s Health Program, depending upon income and other factors.
Children’s Medical Services (CMS) is a program of the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for children up to 21 years of age who have a chronic or disabling condition. It helps provide medical coverage to families who do not qualify for Medical Assistance. Eligibility is based on both medical and financial criteria. CMS will often provide partial coverage for specific needs, such as medications, equipment and vitamins that are not otherwise covered by insurance.
Out-Of-State Medical Assistance
If you have out-of state Medical Assistance, the transplant financial coordinator will explore your coverage at the time of evaluation. They will submit a form to provider relations at your state capital requesting to become a provider of service. Once approval to become a provider is received, the hospital must negotiate with the state to reach an agreement on the amount of payment. It is sometimes necessary for the state medical director to review the medical information and agree that the transplant is needed. Following are links to various states’ Medical Assistance programs:
Delaware - http://www.delawareuninsured.org/program_information.htm
Pennsylvania - http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/OMAP/
Virginia – http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/
Washington DC - http://doh.dc.gov/DOH/cwp/view,a,3,q,573226,dohNav_GID,1807.asp
