Financing Your Child's Healthcare
Options for Financing Your Child's Health Care
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov)
- Social Security Benefits
- State Title V CSHCN Programs
Medicaid
Specific Medicaid Programs
Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT)
Medicaid Home and Community-Based (HCBS) Waiver
Excess Income Programs
Medicare
- A chronic renal disease and needs a kidney transplant or maintenance dialysis
- Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Health Insurance Marketplace
- Don’t have insurance or access to affordable, quality, employer-based insurance
- Make less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level and don’t have access to employer-based insurance
Social Security Benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments for Children with Disabilities
- Not be working or earning more than the specified amount set by Social Security, which may change each year as cost-of-living increases
- Have a physical or mental condition or a combination of conditions that results in “marked and severe functional limitations.” This means it seriously limits your child’s activities.
- Have a condition or conditions that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
When Your Child Turns 18 - SSI for Adults
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits for Adults Disabled Since Childhood
Social Security Benefits for Adults Disabled Before Age 22 (SSDI)
- Be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits; or
- Have worked long enough under Social Security and died
State Title V CSHCN Programs
Other Financial Supports
Federal Income Tax Credits
- Health Coverage Tax Credit
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Dependent Care Tax Credit
- Tax Credit for the Disabled and Elderly
Tax-Advantaged Financial Accounts (FSAs, HSAs, and HRAs)

ABLE Accounts
Special Needs Trust
Foundations
Local Organizations
Resources
Information & Support
For Parents and Patients
Rhode Island Medicaid Early Periodic, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EOHHS) ( 507 KB)
A table which describes the services provides through Rhode Island's Early Periodic, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program;
Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services 2018.
Rhode Island Cedar Family Centers Fact Sheet (EOHHS) ( 195 KB)
Cedar Family Centers provide services supporting Rhode Island's children and youth with special health care needs and their
families. No cost for Medical Assistance, RIte Care or RIte Share. Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Rhode Island Katie Beckett Fact Sheet (EOHHS) ( 186 KB)
Katie Beckett is a Rhode Island Medical Assistance coverage group that allows for very disabled and/or medically complex children
to be cared for at home instead of in a hospital or an institution. Eligibility, how to apply, no direct family cost for services.
Revised 2017; Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Rhode Island Hoja Informativa de Katie Beckett - Spanish (EOHHS) ( 121 KB)
Katie Beckett es un grupo de cobertura de Rhode Island Medical Assistance que permite a menores de edad muy discapacitados
o con problemas médicos complejos recibir atención médica en casa en vez de en un hospital o institución. Revised 2016; Rhode
Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Rhode Island Home-Based Therapeutic Services Fact Sheet (EOHHS) ( 148 KB)
Home Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS) are medically necessary, intensive services that can help families of children with
moderate to severe behavioral health, developmental or physical disabilities. HBTS is provided to children in the home or
community setting. Revised 2017; Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Rhode Island Hoja Informativa de Servicios Terapéuticos Domiciliarios (EOHHS) ( 188 KB)
Servicios Terapéuticos Domiciliarios son servicios intensivos de necesidad médica que ayudan a las familias de niños y jóvenes
que tienen discapacidades conductuales, físicas o del desarrollo de moderadas a graves. Revised 2016; Rhode Island Executive
Office of Health and Human Services.
Rhode Island Personal Assistance Services and Supports (PASS) Fact Sheet (EOHHS) ( 128 KB)
Personal Assistance Services and Supports (PASS) helps families of children with special health care needs improve a child’s
ability to do activities of daily life; their ability to maintain safety and to gain social skills. Medicaid program. Revised
2017; Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Rhode Island Hoja Informativade Servicios y Apoyos de Asistencia Personal - Spanish (EOHHS) ( 178 KB)
Servicios y Apoyos de Asistencia Personal es un servicio para ayudar a las familias de niños y jóvenes que tienen necesidades
médicas especiales. Programa de Medicaid. Revised 2017; Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Rhode Island Temporary Disability/Caregiver Insurance
Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) was signed into law on July 11, 2013. TCI provides eligible claimants up to 4 weeks of
caregiver benefits to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, domestic partner, parent, parent-in-law or grandparent, or to
bond with a newborn child, new adopted child or new foster-care child. You must apply for TCI benefits during the first 30
days after the first day of leave is taken for reasons of bonding or caregiving.
National Center for Family - Professional Partnerships (F2F HICs)
Family-to-Family Health Information Centers are nonprofit, family-staffed organizations that assist families of children and
youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Locate state-based F2F HICs, providing support, information, resources, and
training.
Family Voices
A national, nonprofit, family-led organization promoting quality health care for all children and youth, particularly those
with special health care needs. Locate your Family-to-Family Health Information Center by state.
Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI)
Provide training and information to parents of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and to people who
work with parents to enable them to participate more fully and effectively with professionals in meeting the educational needs
of their children with disabilities. See the link for Download a List of Parent Centers across the USA to find the parent
center in your state; U.S. Department of Education.
Family Voices (FVAO) or Health Information(F2F) Center
Family-to-Family Health Information Centers are nonprofit, family-staffed organizations that assist families of children and
youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Locate state-based F2F HICs, providing support, information, resources, and
training.
Social Security Benefits for Children with Disabilities
An electronic booklet outlining the kinds of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits a child with
a disability might be eligible for; call toll-free 1-800-772-1213.
Managing Your Finances
An online tutorial from the PACER Center, "Managing Your Finances" includes these modules: Make a Spending Plan, Track Your
Spending Leaks, Set S.M.A.R.T. Financial Goals, Manage Your Debt, and Protect Your Identity.
Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov)
Sometimes known as the health insurance exchange, the new Health Insurance Marketplace helps uninsured people find health
coverage that meets their needs and budget. Part of the Affordable Care Act.
National Disability Navigator
This fact sheet is intended to help Navigators answer specific questions that people with disabilities might ask about benefits
and coverage available through the Health Insurance Marketplace, supported by the American Association on Health and Disability
(AAHD).
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
This is the official U.S. government site for CHIP services; information includes eligibility, enrollment and general information
about health insurance for kids.
EPSDT Medicaid Benefits for Children
Medicaid's EPSDT benefit provides comprehensive and preventive health care services for children under age 21 who are enrolled
in Medicaid. EPSDT is key to ensuring that children and adolescents receive appropriate preventive, dental, mental health,
and developmental, and specialty services. Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT)
Social Security Administration
Official site for the U.S. Social Security Administration; offers programs including disability benefits (SSDI) and Supplemental
Security Income (SSI).
State Title V Profiles and Contacts
Title V programs by state with contact information. Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
ABLE Accounts
State-sponsored tax-favorable ABLE accounts for people with disabilities who became disabled before age 26.
Services for Patients & Families in Rhode Island (RI)
Service Categories | # of providers* in: | RI | NW | Other states (4) (show) | | NM | NV | OH | UT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adolescent Health Transition Programs | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||
CHIP, State Children's Health Insur Prog | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | |||
Financial Assistance, Other | 24 | 12 | 16 | 59 | 17 | 36 | |||
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy | 4 | 1 | 5 | 15 | 1 | 55 | |||
Medicaid | 6 | 4 | 9 | 25 | 5 | 15 | |||
Medical Care Expense Assistance | 39 | 35 | 40 | 61 | 35 | 55 | |||
Medicare Special Needs Plan | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | |||
Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs | 25 | 21 | 22 | 42 | 21 | 43 |
For services not listed above, browse our Services categories or search our database.
* number of provider listings may vary by how states categorize services, whether providers are listed by organization or individual, how services are organized in the state, and other factors; Nationwide (NW) providers are generally limited to web-based services, provider locator services, and organizations that serve children from across the nation.