Are you looking to learn more about cerebral palsy financial assistance and the challenges cerebral palsy can pose? We’re here to help.

Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder that affects muscle control, movement, and coordination, which can cause a range of symptoms that vary from person to person. In this post, we discuss the Medicare out-of-pocket costs for treatments for cerebral palsy, physical therapies, assistive technologies to help manage symptoms, and how our fundraising efforts can help cover the out-of-pocket costs for cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy and Early Detection

There is no laboratory biomarker for cerebral palsy. Instead, it is a clinical diagnosis. Based on a combination of clinical signs, neurological symptoms, and physical limitations, most can reach a diagnosis. Early detection enables timely intervention when the greatest gains are possible from neuroplasticity.

The Importance of Early Detection for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy early intervention using intense motor learning task-specific approaches, plus environmental enrichment, optimizes natural plasticity and improves children’s motor and cognitive outcomes. Early, regular monitoring and treatment for cerebral palsy can also prevent the onset of hip dislocation, scoliosis, and contracture. Lastly, families prefer early diagnosis, early intervention, and parent-to-parent support.

For more information on chronic illness treatment and expenses, check out our Catastrophic Illness Financial Assistance page.

Common Expenses Associated with Cerebral Palsy

One study focusing on the economic burden of cerebral palsy in the U.S. found that the average lifetime healthcare cost per patient was $921,000 for individuals living with cerebral palsy.

Sources:

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Cochlear implants. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/professional-issues/cochlear-implants/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Economic costs associated with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, and vision impairment–United States, 2003. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2004 Jan 30;53(3):57-9. PMID: 14749614. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14749614/
• Cheng, X. S., Han, J., Braggs-Gresham, J. L., Held, P. J., Busque, S., Roberts, J. P., Tan, J. C., Scandling, J. D., Chertow, G. M., & Dor, A. (2022, March 10). Trends in cost attributable to kidney transplantation evaluation and waiting list management in the United States, 2012-2017. JAMA network open. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8914579/
• Novak, I., Smithers-Sheedy, H., & Morgan, C. (2011, February 11). Predicting equipment needs of children with cerebral palsy using the Gross Motor Function Classification system: A cross-sectional study. Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21314294

The cost of cerebral palsy can go beyond the physical and emotional toll it takes on patients and their families when out-of-pocket costs become overwhelming. Fortunately, cerebral palsy financial assistance is available.

Does Insurance Cover Cerebral Palsy Treatment?

The extent of coverage for your cerebral palsy treatment may differ based on your insurance plan and provider. It’s important to talk with your care provider to determine the amount of financial assistance needed.

Does Medicare Pay for Cerebral Palsy Treatment?

Fortunately, Medicare pays for most cerebral palsy treatments. Medicare enrollees with cerebral palsy will receive the same services, at the same costs, as other enrollees. 

Services do not have to be related to the disability, and services cannot be denied because of the disability. While Medicare covers many costs, there are many out-of-pocket expenses that are incurred, no matter your insurance coverage or insurance premium.

Cerebral Palsy with No Insurance

Managing cerebral palsy with health insurance is difficult enough. Dealing with the financial responsibilities can be very costly. According to an estimate from the Center of Disease Control and adjusted for inflation, a parent or guardian of a child with cerebral palsy will pay a lifetime cost of $1.6 million for care. 

In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control estimated that lifetime costs of caring for an individual with cerebral palsy are approximately $1 million, in addition to normal living costs. When adjusted for inflation, this amount equates to over $1.6 million as of 2023.

Common Out-of-Pocket Costs for Cerebral Palsy

• Assistive technology/Adaptive equipment
• Orthotics
• Medical equipment
• Rehabilitation therapy including physical, occupational, activity-based, speech, and massage
• Home/Vehicle Modifications
• Caregiving

Finding Cerebral Palsy Financial Assistance

Addressing a cerebral palsy diagnosis is filled with a long list of questions that differ with every situation. All of these unknowns can add to the stress of living with cerebral palsy. Add additional procedures, rehabilitation, therapy, as well as long-term care, and the bills can add up quickly. 

Fortunately, we’re here to help. 

As your community-based fundraising source, you’ll find everything you need to receive financial support for cerebral palsy treatments. Together, we can raise funds to assist with your unmet medical expenses and related costs.

How Fundraising for Cerebral Palsy Works

The fundraising process with our nonprofit starts with a few simple steps:

1. Complete a short campaign request at helphopelive.org/get-started/apply
2. We will contact you if community-based fundraising is a possible option
3. You’ll be paired with a Client Services Coordinator
4. Your Coordinator will provide you with one-on-one fundraising help, including personalized materials and guidance on rallying your community, sharing your story on social media, reaching out to the press, planning in-person or virtual fundraising events, and much more

How Is Help Hope Live Different from GoFundMe?

Help Hope Live differs from GoFundMe by:

• Verifying your medical need for complete donor confidence
• Enabling tax-deductible donations
• Providing one-on-one fundraising help
• Managing all funds raised to protect your state-based benefits (funds raised are not considered personal income/assets to you)
• Paying bills directly allows you to focus on treatment and recovery

We are a nonprofit with more than four decades of fundraising experience and a 4-star Charity Navigator rating.

“It’s been a dream come true.”

Eighteen-year-old Ella Weiske is living with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. With the support of her community and Help Hope Live, she raised $40,000 for a key mobility device: a Trexo robotic system. Thanks to her new Trexo, Ella will get the chance to walk across the stage at her high school graduation.

Expertise. Secure. Compassion. Dependable. Trust.

In a 2020 survey, clients and their trusted team members chose these five words to describe how our nonprofit makes a difference. 94% of our clients would gladly recommend Help Hope Live as a resource to another patient or family.