YORK COUNTY — As uncertainty about the future of affordable medical care continues to swirl in Washington, an organization is stepping up to assist local parents in Maine by covering expenses for children not included by family insurance plans.

Representatives of the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation say that they are actively seeking grant applications from Maine 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 plans.

Under a special grant program, families that qualify could receive up to $5,000 annually per child, with a lifetime maximum of $10,000 per child to assist in paying for a variety of medical services and equipment.

Items covered by the grant include physical, occupational and speech therapy services, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids.

Foundation officials say that to be eligible for the grants, children must be age 16 or younger and their family must meet economic guidelines, reside in Maine and be covered by a commercial health insurance plan.

According to officials, families do not need to have insurance carried by UnitedHealthcare to be eligible for these grants.

Since the program’s inception in 2007, the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation has awarded more than 13,000 grants exceeding more than $35 million to children and their families across America and the foundation has set a goal to award 20,000 grants by Jan. 1, 2020. 

“So far in 2017, we have awarded 870 grants worth $1.5 million,” said Matt Peterson, president of the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation. 

Peterson said the foundation raises money for the grant program through a number of initiatives including proceeds from a popular children’s book series and fundraisers across the nation throughout the year.

“Our fourth book in the award-winning Oliver & Hope™ series, released in February, combines messages of kindness and generosity with creative storytelling,” Peterson said. “These books raise funds that help families pay for children’s medical costs.”

He said that foundation fundraisers this year have featured century rides, golf events and wine tastings.

To date in Maine, the foundation has awarded a total of 11 grants valued at about $35,000. 

To learn more about the grant program and to apply, parents or legal guardians are encouraged to visit uhccf.org.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 326, or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.