Ask:
As some of you may recall I took CJ to a pediatric orthopod for his tip toe walking. She wanted him to get physical therapy outside of school and also to get leg braces.
Well we held off on the braces and started working on the physical therapy end. Well our insurance will not pay for it unless it is medically necessary but we don't have the money for even the evaluation in case they deny it. We tried getting it preapproved but they said they would not preapprove it, to start doing it send the bills and they would consider it. So we decided to hold off on it because we can not afford it. To top it off they only pay 50% if they do cover it.
So today I get a note home from CJ's physical therapist at school. She says that she agrees with the dr and thinks braces would help break his tip toe walking. So I start making some phone calls. Our insurance will cover it after we meet his deductible. Well that is $1000 and he has not had anything go to his deductible this year. So I call the brace place, the braces begin well above $1000. That means we have to have the money to pay for these. Well that is not going to happen either.
So my mom made a suggestion and this is where I am hoping you can help. She suggested calling the march of dimes. Well I went looking online and I don't think they are the correct organization. They deal with birth defects. Does anyone have any idea on what organization could help with this??? We still do not have a diagnosis and I don't see one coming any time soon. We don't qualify for medicaid - we earn to much money.
If you can give me any suggestions I would appreciate it. I feel horrible that I can not help my son when he needs it but we don't have the money, we are barely making it week to week and now with the baby being due. It is all becoming very overwhelming. I have been crying all day since CJ got home. I know I can not stress over this but I am at a loss for how to help my son.
I really would appreciate any help you can give me.
Answer:
I, too, contacted the March of Dimes because dd needed an operation for a birth defect and I can't afford the part insurance doesn't cover. I'm still paying, little by little. March of Dimes said they don't help individuals. What? Let's just say they are not tops of my giving list when I can give - I certainly haven't heard a lot of research value coming from them, and they are supposed to be for birth defects. However, I do hear about how their administrators live comfortably.
Do you think Easter Seals will be any better? Gosh, if you do find anyone, I'd love to know! It seems so unfair that those of us with children who need help pay so much out of our pockets, and there's no help. I have two children that had operations, and I know there are others on here struggling, too. I even asked dd's doctors and they had no idea who to contact. What's interesting is that the hospital told us they try to set it up so those with no insurance don't have to pay a lot and those with insurance, but a deductible or coinsurance won't have to pay more. Yet, I have over $900 in bills from them, not counting the doctors or anesthesiologist bills. And I know these are small, compared to others out there! It is unfair.
Answer:
I would start calling your local United Way and asking what resources are offered in your area. I would also check with the financial counsellor with your local Children's hospital. It is their job to help point you in the right direction. I know this will all work out!
Answer:
Wait!! Is it bad that a child walks on their tip toes?? My dd does it all the time! I never thought it was a problem! She won't walk any other way. OMG! I didn't think it was bad!! Oh that makes me feel terrible!! I guess I should have that checked!
Answer:
Do you have a Shriners Hospital in your area? My nephew has club foot, and they have done all of his surgeries and therapies, since he was a baby, for free.
Answer:
Mda
Answer:
Dani, depending on the age of your child, it could be a cause for concern and something to bring up to you pediatrician. It could be low muscle tone, a sign of autism, and other things. Give your ped's office a call.
Answer:
Shriner's Hospitals do AFO and other bracing for free. If you Google Shriner's Hospitals the website with locations comes up. They do pretty much everything for free. God Bless them!
You may want to try Easter Seals too. I got some therapy from them years ago for DS on a sliding scale, but it was still a lot. Not sure if they provide braces. Also check your county resources. WE have something called Children's Diagnostic and Treatment CEnter which is run by the county and they provide many services. Or your office for Elderly/Disabled Affairs?
Good luck to you. Just to let you know, usually insurance will only pay for one pair a year, so you will want to time when you get them carefully, because kids grow so quickly and often need 2 pairs a year. My DS has outgrown his so he is wearing them sparingly. He's having surgery in the summer and will need new ones after that, so there's no way I'm gonna waste my one pair this year until after the surgery. School has been complaining that he is only wearing them a few days a week, but they don't realize how expensive it all gets. My son's last pair was $2800!
Answer:
Check with SSI and see if he will qualify for help since he has to have braces. Asking never hurts the worst you will hear is no. I would call Shriners, MDA, and also for your hosital bills you can ask the finance office if they have any groups that help pay the large bills.
Answer:
I'm with the others the Shriners are wonderful for things like this!