Say What? Added Costs for Special Needs Care Strains Families and Budgets

My previous blog offered my opinions regarding the new Obamacare plan and how it might affect coverage for parents of children with special needs.

Regardless of insurance coverage, the best of insurance plans will not provide coverage for many of the incidental costs of providing care for children with disabilities.

We may take for granted the regular costs of raising a family, however, hidden additional costs contribute to the financial strain experienced by so many families in the best of economic situations, let alone in the current state of affairs.

Programs like Medicare, Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), may offer coverage for limited services, however, do not cover the significant out-of-pocket costs, in addition to deductibles and co-pays, for the necessary related equipment and supplies. These necessary expenses might include prescriptions; over-the-counter medications, ointments, and supplements; diapers; special bath and toileting equipment and supplies, and specialty food items and feeding implements. Then there’s special equipment for seating, standing, and mobility; wheelchairs, special strollers, trays, standers, walkers, gait trainers, and more.

I haven’t mentioned the additional costs for physical, occupational, speech or other therapies that are not covered by insurance. What about the cost of gasoline and transportation to the more than average number of health-related office visits? How about tutoring, caretaking, and counseling costs? Then there is loss of income due to time off work for the increased number medical appointments, procedures, IEP meetings, or incidents that unexpectedly arise.   Some parents cannot hold a full-time jobs because of their responsibilities as a parent to be available on a day-to-day basis.

Parents, feeling the burden of these expenses, are often forced to prioritize and compromise activities and expenditures the entire family might otherwise enjoy. Regardless of the family’s economic status, or the disabilities involved, these hidden costs are often a hardship and can put a strain on the parents, and entire families, of children with special needs.

I know, I’ve been there for the needs of my granddaughter. My heart goes out to all of you in these difficult times!

Best,
Julie