Government-funded health plans

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a government program that covers much of the cost of medical care. To get Medicaid, your family’s income and assets must be below a certain level. These levels vary from state to state, although in 2014 this may change in some states due to the Affordable Care Act. Be aware that not all health providers take Medicaid.

Some examples of people who are eligible for Medicaid include:

• Low-income families with children
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients
• Infants born to Medicaid-eligible pregnant women
• Children under age 6 from low-income families may be eligible in some states (even if other family members are not)
• Pregnant women whose income is below certain federal poverty guidelines

Medicaid pays only a percentage of the direct cost of medical care to hospitals and doctors, but families are not billed for the rest. Children that Social Security determines to be disabled are usually eligible for Medicaid. Having insurance coverage does not make a person ineligible for Medicaid. Some children who are not eligible for Medicaid when they are diagnosed become eligible after the family’s medical debt affects their income and assets.

In some situations, being eligible for Medicaid can help a child or family, even if it’s not used to pay direct medical costs. For example, most medical centers make their own determination of a family’s ability to pay medical bills. A family with an income low enough to qualify for Medicaid may get special consideration that could result in a discounted hospital bill. Medicaid funds may also be used in some states to help pay the cost of transportation to hospitals and clinics and for food and lodging if a family has to travel for treatment or follow-up care.

Your team social worker can give you more information on applying for Medicaid, or you can find out how to apply by contacting your county social service or health department. These numbers can be found in the blue pages of your local phone book, or contact your state Medicaid office (see the “To learn more” section).

Can Medicare help with medical care costs for children?

Medicare is a federal program funded through the Social Security system. It provides health insurance for those who meet certain criteria. Young people with cancer who are disabled may get Medicare benefits after collecting Social Security benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program for 2 years.

In order for your child to get SSI, you must apply for it on behalf of the child, complete with household income and the child’s medical and school information. Social Security will then determine if the child is disabled. You can get more information on SSI and Medicare from the Social Security Web site (www.ssa.gov); click on “Disability.” You can also call 1-800-772-1213, or talk with your team social worker.

Low-income Medicare beneficiaries with limited resources may get extra help paying their out-of-pocket medical expenses from their state Medicaid program (see the section called, “What is Medicaid?”).

What other public assistance programs might help pay for my child’s medical care?

State-sponsored children’s health insurance programs (CHIP)

There’s a special state and federal partnership that pays for medical services for children called the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP offers some type of low-cost health insurance to uninsured children and pregnant women in families with incomes too high to qualify for state Medicaid programs, but too low to pay for private coverage. Within federal guidelines, each state sets up its own CHIP program, including eligibility guidelines, benefits offered, and cost. The program covers doctor visits, medicines, hospitalizations, dental care, eye care, and medical equipment. It’s funded by state tax dollars. People enrolled in Medicaid usually are not eligible for state-sponsored health insurance programs.

To find out more about CHIP, call 1-877-543-7669 (1-877-KIDS NOW). You can also go to the CHIP Web site, www.insurekidsnow.gov, to learn more about the program in your state.

Children’s Special Health (Care) Services (CSHS or CSHCS)

This is a state-run program, financed by state and federal money. It may help pay some health care costs for children, usually those 21 and younger with certain chronic conditions, including cancer. In many states these programs have different names. To find out if such programs can help you, talk to a hospital or clinic financial counselor or talk with the team social worker. Or you can try calling your state health department.

Hill-Burton Funds

A few hospitals and other non-profit medical facilities get Hill-Burton funds from the federal government so they can offer free or low-cost services to those who can’t pay. Each facility chooses which services it will provide at no or lowered cost. Medicare and Medicaid services aren’t eligible for Hill-Burton coverage. But Hill-Burton may cover services that other government programs don’t.

Eligibility for Hill-Burton is based on family size and income. First you’ll need to find out if there’s a facility in your area that has any Hill-Burton obligation for which you may qualify. If your child is cared for at such a facility, you may apply for Hill-Burton help at any time, either before or after you receive care. Call the Hill-Burton Program for more information at 1-800-638-0742 or visit their Web site, www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/hillburton/facilities.html, for a listing of Hill-Burton-obligated facilities, eligibility criteria, and frequently asked questions about the program.

Can children who are not US citizens get Medicaid or Children’s Special Health Services?

There are situations in which children who are not citizens of the United States, but are legal immigrants, may be able to get Medicaid, CHIP, or Children’s Special Health Services (CSHS) to pay for some of their treatment. All questions about Medicaid eligibility rules and regulations should be discussed with your county Medicaid specialists. Talk to the hospital or clinic financial counselor about CHIP or CSHS coverage. The services of an interpreter can usually be arranged if speaking or understanding English is a problem.

Will children covered by Medicaid, CHIP, or Children’s Special Health Services be treated the same as children covered by private health plans?

Children and teens should get the same quality of care, the same state-of-the-art treatment, and any other services available – no matter who pays for it. If parents have any questions or concerns about this, they should speak with the pediatric oncologist in charge of their child’s care or with another member of the cancer care team.

Veterans’ and military benefits may help children

What if the child’s parent has TRICARE?

TRICARE is the Department of Defense’s health insurance program for those in the military, as well as some family members, survivors, and retirees. It offers a number of different plan options to cover people in the US and overseas, and includes family plans as well as plans for certain reservists. Pharmacy plans, dental plans, and other special services are available for some beneficiaries. If the parent is a veteran who retired from the military, the child, teen, or young adult may be eligible for Tricare.

The service member must register eligible family members, including children, in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to get health coverage for them. Records can be kept up to date by the service member or the family members through the nearest military personnel office or ID card-issuing facility, or online at www.military.com/benefits/tricare/tricare-eligibility.html.

Each TRICARE plan has its own limits and requirements. Choose your plan carefully and know how it works. You can find out more on TRICARE at www.tricare.mil, including a way to compare different plans to find one that best suits your family. You can also get help by calling 1-800-538-9552.

What if a parent is a military reservist who has been called to active duty?

Members of the military reserve units who are called up for active duty from private employment have certain rights about the health care coverage they get from their employers. They are allowed to pay the full cost of their health plan, very much like COBRA, during their time away. When they return to work, their health coverage must be re-instated without any waiting period. See “To learn more” for US Department of Labor contact information to find out more about this.

What if the child’s parent died in the military or became permanently disabled due to military service?

A program called the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is available for certain spouses, widows, or widowers and their children who are not eligible for TRICARE. CHAMPVA can cover the spouse or widow(er) and the children of a veteran who:

• Is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability as determined by a VA regional office
• Was rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition at the time of death
• Died of a service-connected disability
• Died on active duty and the family members are not eligible for TRICARE benefits

CHAMPVA is a comprehensive health care program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. The program is administered by the VA Health Administration Center. You can find out more about CHAMPVA, including things like eligibility, benefits, finding a provider, and filing claims by calling 1-800-733-8387, or visiting their Web site, www.va.gov/hac/hacmain.asp (select CHAMPVA under “Special Programs”).