*Disclosure: This is a sponsored informational post from UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.
When your child needs a medical service, the last thing you want to worry about is being able to afford the service. Many families all across the United States have to face this dilemma each week. I am grateful for the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF).
The foundation is seeking grant applications from families in need of financial assistance to help pay for their child’s health care treatments, services or equipment not covered, or not fully covered, by their commercial health insurance plan.
Qualifying families can receive up to $5,000 per grant with a lifetime maximum of $10,000 per child to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids.
To be eligible for a grant, children must be 16 years of age or younger. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the United States and have a commercial health insurance plan. Grants are available for medical expenses families have incurred 60 days prior to the date of application as well as for ongoing and future medical needs. Parents or legal guardians may apply for grants at www.UHCCF.org, and there is no application deadline.
Last year, UHCCF awarded more than 2,000 medical grants worth an estimated $5.4 million, to children and their families across the United States for treatments associated with medical conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, hearing loss, autism, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, ADHD and cerebral palsy.
Since 2007, UHCCF has awarded more than 9,000 medical grants, totaling more than $27 million, to children and their families across the United States. In the past three years, more than 200 families in North Carolina received grants.
“Thousands of children struggle every day for something many of us take for granted – our health. That reality is the driving force behind UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation’s mission to help families in need access medical care that will improve their child’s health. Our medical grants have already helped thousands of children in need, and we are looking to help thousands’ more children in the future,” said UHCCF President Matt Peterson.
New children’s book to raise funds
To help raise funds for its child medical grant program, UHCCF has published a new children’s book, “Oliver & Hope’s Superhero Saturday” – the third book in the Oliver & Hope series.
Imagination takes flight in the third book of the award-winning Oliver & Hope™ series as Oliver™ the bear, Hope™ the butterfly and Millie™ the barn owl join their friend Charlotte the fox on a superhero adventure.
When these lovable characters put on their hero capes, they have fun pretending to save a pirate ship, rescue a hot air balloon and face an evil mud monster. But when they discover their friend Chewie™ the English bulldog really needs their help, the friends must work together to become real heroes.
The 32-page book, geared toward children ages 3-8, delivers a fun story and engaging images that enable readers to imagine how they might become a hero like the characters. The heartwarming story also teaches subtle lessons about the power of friendship, resiliency and imagination.
“Oliver & Hope’s Superhero Saturday” is the highly anticipated follow-up to the first two award-winning books in the series: “Oliver & Hope’s Amusing Adventure” and “Oliver & Hope’s Adventure Under the Stars.” Each book in the series is written by Meg Cadts and beautifully hand-illustrated and painted by Samantha Fitch. Meg Cadts is the pen name for the UHCCF team of writers and contributors.
All three books of the Oliver & Hope series are available through uhccf.org/shop for $16.95 each. Proceeds from the books and plush toys from the series help fund UHCCF grants that help families pay for children’s medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by their parents’ commercial health insurance plan.
More information about the Oliver & Hope books, including free audio recordings of the books as well as fun activities and downloads, can be found at Oliver & Hope’s Clubhouse at UHCCF.org.
About UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides medical grants to help children gain access to health-related services not covered, or not fully covered, by their parents’ commercial health insurance plan. Families can receive up to $5,000 annually per child ($10,000 lifetime maximum per child), and do not need to have insurance through UnitedHealthcare to be eligible. UHCCF was founded in 1999. Since 2007, UHCCF has awarded more than 9,000 grants valued at over $27 million to children and their families across the United States. UHCCF’s funding is provided by contributions from individuals, corporations and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) employees. To apply for a grant, donate or learn more, please visit www.UHCCF.org.
