To apply visit: http://www.uhccf.org/

The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation is offering support to meet the needs of children across the United States 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 for healthcare services that will help improve their children's health and quality of life. Examples of the types of medical services covered by UHCCF grants include speech therapy, physical therapy, and psychotherapy sessions; medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids, and eyeglasses; and orthodontia and dental treatments.

Any child 16 years old or younger living in any UnitedHealthcare region of the United States (all 50 states) and in need of financial assistance for healthcare services will be considered eligible for a grant. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the United States, and be covered by a commercial health insurance plan.

We have attempted to highlight the Criteria for applying. The income max is based on "per individual" in the household, family Adjusted Gross can't exceed $80,000. We encourage you to visit their website at http://www.uhccf.org/ and learn more about it. This is an easy read and easy to move around in website. They also have a great Frequently Asked Questions Section.

Criteria (modified from their website http://www.uhccf.org/criteria.html):

• Any child, 16 years old or younger
• The applicant must be covered by a commercial health insurance policy and limits for the requested service are either exceeded, or no coverage is available and/or the copayments are a serious financial burden on the family.
• Consideration will be given, but not be limited to, criteria such as the potential of the intervention to significantly enhance either the clinical condition or the quality of life for the child, the financial status of the family and the severity of the child's illness.
• Financial need of the child's family should be documented through information provided on the application and by submission of a copy of the most recently filed tax return. Generally, awards will be granted to individuals in families whose adjusted gross income per individual does not exceed $20,000. If you have four people in your family, the AGI cap would be $80,000 (This sounds like its most of our families in Illinois).
• Other financial resources to meet the health care need are not available.
The amount awarded to an individual within a 12-month period is limited to either $5,000 or 85% of the fund balance, whichever amount is less. Awards to any one individual are limited to a lifetime maximum of $7,500.
• An application must be submitted prior to the child's 17th birthday.

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