Helping children in need.

What happens to families when a child has medical needs that are not covered or not completely covered by their commercial health plan?

• Children may go without necessary treatment
• Families proceed with treatment and assume a large amount of debt

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation understands these needs and works to help fill this void.

Making a difference

In 2007 the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) provided 473 grants to children in need. Ethan and Nathan are two of those children.

Ethan and his family needed a new pacemaker
Ethan is a ten year-old boy who was born with a heart defect, which led to heart surgeries and the insertion of a pacemaker. His pacemaker needed to be replaced, so Ethan’s mom applied for a grant. Ethan received a $5,000 grant for a new pacemaker. Ethan’s mom told UHCCF:

“As a social worker, I spend most of my time giving assistance and encouragement to others. However, my profession pays poorly and I have always had to worry about having enough for the needs of my own son. We have been extremely lucky that he has been very healthy throughout the subsequent year, however, his pacemaker must be replaced about every 10 years. I became very nervous as the day for the pacemaker replacement approached because I didn’t know how I was going to manage all the medical expenses. Ethan’s elementary school principal knew his operation was corning up and knew that we were struggling with the issue of the bills that would soon follow. She heard about the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation grant. I could fill this page, and many more, with appreciative words and still never be able to express how much my son being selected as a recipient has meant to me. Although my son knows nothing of my financial struggles, I am sure he knew and felt that mommy was able to be there with him 100% physically, as well as emotionally, because she did not have to worry where the money was going to come from to repair his sick heart.”

Nathan and his family needed help with medical costs
Nathan is a five year-old boy with autism and ulcerative colitis, a bowel disorder. Nathan’s medical conditions have severely impacted his health and well-being. Nathan’s parents applied for some help from UHCCF and received a medical grant of $5,000 for medications, nutritional supplements and medical procedures related to his bowel disorder. Nathan’s mom told UHCCF:

“Nathan has been able to receive medical procedures and medications thanks to the grant. My husband is a school teacher and he works another part-time job, but because Nathan has autism, many of his health care needs are not covered by my husband’s insurance. We are grateful that the grant helps hard working people who cannot make ends meet get the help they need.”

Mission

The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. We’re dedicated to helping families access the medical-related services that have the potential to significantly enhance the clinical condition or the quality of life of their child and are not fully covered by the available commercial health benefit plan.

How the Foundation works 

Through its medical grants, the Foundation strives to facilitate access to health care services available to those in need. When considering requests for grants, the Foundation considers criteria including:

• Income status of the family
• Severity of the child's condition
• Effects of the requested service or item on the child's quality of life

To learn more and read about other children we have helped, visit UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation.