The funding issue: how to make insurance, Regional Center, and Medi-Cal work together
Getting the right benefits and resources for our kids is tough enough — but figuring out how to fund it all? That’s a whole different ballgame. We might feel we have a good grasp on private insurance, for example, but then comes Medi-Cal, Regional Center, Self-Determination, and other avenues of support trailing right behind it — and unfortunately, they don’t always get along. Many families also miss out on amazing benefits, resources, and lesser-known funding programs simply because we don’t know what’s available — or how to take full advantage of them!
It can feel overwhelming, but these funding sources often step in when insurance doesn’t cover things like diapers, durable medical equipment, or services labeled “not medically necessary.” The question is: how can we close those gaps in care and take advantage of all the resources available to us? With multiple therapies, specialists, and providers….how do we pay for it all?!
This week, we’re learning how to get the most out of your health plans and public benefits to fund your child’s services, needs, and those must-have medical supplies — because every little bit helps!
How do we pay for it all? → There are so many funding options and avenues for our families but it can be overwhelming to decide which ones are best for us. We’ve created a guide to funding resources that will give you a high-level overview of the options available to you — plus 5 public benefits your child may be eligible for (that you might not know about!) — to make “paying for it all” a bit clearer.
Public health plans vs. private health plans: what’s the deal? → If you’re still confused about how private insurance works with public benefits like Medi-Cal or Regional Center, we’re here to help you troubleshoot some common issues with private and public health plans — plus some insights into the future of public benefits in 2025 and beyond.
Medi-Cal as a backup. → Already have health insurance for your child? You might still benefit from Medi-Cal! It can work as a backup to cover what your primary insurance doesn’t — like co-pays, therapies, equipment, and more. Read on to find out in How to Use Medi-Cal as Secondary Insurance.
Our 4 funding tips. → What if insurance denies my claim? How do I get a doctor’s prescription for medical supplies? What the heck is a financial “order of operations” when it comes to funding? Find the answers, and more, in our article 4 Tips for Funding Your Child’s Medical and Therapeutic Needs.
💡 Undivided tip: did you know that some of these sources may even assist with funding an Undivided membership? Get all the details in our article How to Request Regional Center Funding for an Undivided Membership.
How Undivided can help you fund like a pro:
- Sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know. From lesser-known funding programs to useful tools and resources, our Undivided Navigators have put together the Top 10 Things Families Raising Kids with Disabilities Are Missing Out On.
- Add this goal to your Undivided account for a step-by-step guide to help you learn what public benefits are available in California.
- Add this goal to your Undivided account to help for the step-by-step guide on how to best use Medi-Cal and private insurance to get costs covered.
- Feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start? Undivided can help you make the most out of private insurance and public benefits, like Regional Center, Medi-Cal, and The Self-Determination Program. Watch our explainer video How Undivided Can Help with Funding for the lowdown.
One parent told Undivided: “As a working parent with a demanding career there is no way I could have stayed employed full-time without Undivided’s help. This company has saved me from having to take sick or personal days to manage my son’s care. I can offload work (physical and mental) to Undivided and I use my PTO as it is meant to be used.”
RSVP to our FREE, live, virtual event → Undivided and Fusion Academy
We’re excited to partner with Fusion Academy to bring you a virtual event exploring education for families with diverse learning needs. You’ll learn all about personalized learning approaches and public benefits, as well as how to foster collaboration and support for students with diverse needs. Join us on Thursday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. PT for the event featuring Lisa Concoff Kronbeck and Lisa Carey, Undivided’s specialists in public benefits and special education, who will share their insights and answer audience questions!
Expert Office Hours
If you’re an Undivided member, join us for a live Q&A on Wednesday, December 11, at 12:00 p.m PT with Undivided Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Cronbeck. Lisa will be available to answer your questions directly on Zoom about funding therapies, social rec, and medical supplies through Medi-Cal, insurance, Regional Center, and more! If you’re not an Undivided member yet, get started here to join us for Office Hours!
Undivided Conversations: California Public Benefits
In our upcoming Undivided Conversation on Friday, November 23 at 12:00 p.m. PT, Undivided Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck will walk you through Regional Center, Medi-Cal, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), California Children’s Services (CCS), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and other government programs in California that help provide funding and care. Whether you’re new to these programs or you want to get more out of them, join us this Fridayr stream on our Facebook page!
Plus, a huge thank you to NAPA Center for asking us to talk to families about private and public health plans!
- If your child has a private health plan, Medi-Cal, and/or Regional Center services, who pays what? And when? Check out this explanation on our YouTube channel→
- Did you see last week’s newsletter about accessible winter camps in California? Check out some camp highlights on our Instagram→
- Do you have a success story about fighting for insurance/Medi-Cal or Regional Center to fund something your child needed? We love to hear parent wins, so please share in our Facebook group for parents!
- Undivided was featured on the Trail Breaker Podcast! Find out how to listen on our LinkedIn page→
- Have questions about your child’s public benefits and health insurance? Our experts are available during Office Hours to answer questions directly from Undivided members! Join Undivided to get started→
