Financial Assistance for Premature Babies in Tennessee

Premature babies often have to stay in the hospital for weeks until they are strong enough and healthy enough to go home and they may have a number of medical problems. In some cases, they have permanent disabilities related to their premature births. Hospital bills may be quite significant and premature babies may require ongoing medical care or special medical equipment even after leaving the hospital. Families in Tennessee with premature infants may qualify for some financial help.

TennCare

TennCare is Tennessee's Medicaid program, which provides health insurance for people with low incomes, including premature babies. It covers a wide range of medical services. Recipients must meet income guidelines, so not all premature babies qualify for assistance but it can be very helpful for those that do qualify. Apply at the Department of Human Services office in the county in which you live.

Reduced Fees at Hospitals and Clinics

Most hospitals have special funds that allow them to reduce the bills for people that meet financial guidelines. An application for assistance is often included with hospital bills but if you receive a bill related to hospital care for your premature baby that doesn't include an application for financial assistance, call the hospital and ask if they have such assistance available. There are also clinics in most large cities and some smaller towns that provide outpatient medical care on a sliding scale; they base fees on patients' income. Look in your local yellow pages or telephone your local United Way to find out about such clinics in your area.

United Healthcare Children's Foundation

The United Healthcare Children's Foundation offers grants to help pay medical bills for critically ill infants and children in Tennessee and in other states. Recipients can receive up to $5,000, depending on their needs. Families of premature babies can use grant money to pay hospital bills or bills for outpatient care after babies go home from the hospital. They can also use funds to pay for special medical equipment needed by premature babies in the home. See link in the Resources section to apply online.

Other Sources of Assistance

Agencies like Goodwill, Catholic Social Services and some churches sometimes offer financial help for premature babies in Tennessee. The assistance offered varies from place to place, though. Call your local United Way to ask for referrals to sources of assistance in your area. The hospital where your premature baby receives care may also have a social worker that can direct you to sources of financial help.

Sources:

Tennessee Department of Human Services. http://www.tn.gov/humanserv/adfam/afs_med.html.

Medicaid/TennCare.

United Healthcare Children's Foundation. http://www.uhccf.org/apply_applicant.html. To Apply.