Chronic health problems can be expensive, even if some costs are covered by government health insurance programs. As a parent, you still have to cover many expenses, including:
- the cost of medicines that are not covered by drug plans
- deductibles for the drug plan
- public transit fares or gas and parking costs for hospital visits
- meals during clinic appointments
- accommodation near the hospital
Many other expenses are not obvious but are very real. They include “hidden costs” such as:
- lost earnings from taking unpaid time off work to care for a sick child or take them to medical appointments
- job promotions (and pay raises) that must be turned down because they require longer hours or frequent trips out of town
- difficulty finding a job in the area in which you are qualified because the employer cannot let you take time off work whenever you need it.
How you can respond
Here are some suggestions for dealing with some of the financial burdens.
- Keep every receipt and store them in one place for when you file your taxes. It is easier to throw things out after you have talked to the person who helps you with your taxes than to try to find small slips of paper all around your house or apartment when it is tax time.
- Speak with your child’s social worker for other ideas on how to minimize the financial effect of a transplant on your family. Social workers are aware of funding through various programs and could help you figure out if you qualify.
Ideas from other parents
Bring your own lunches to the hospital when you’re going frequently. One parent said:
“We buy a cold drink each time, but we only actually buy lunch when we don’t have to go very often because the cost of meals out really adds up.”
Negotiate working hours with your employer. One parent said:
“I am lucky my employer lets me work a few extra hours each week when my daughter is doing well. I get to bank these hours so that I still get paid when I need time off.”
Co-ordinate medical appointments if more than one child is sick. As one parent said:
“We have two children with health issues, and we try to co-ordinate their medical appointments as much as possible so it means less time off work and fewer trips to the hospital.”
Further information
For more information on the impact of an organ transplant, please see the following pages.
Impact of a transplant on your child
Impact of a transplant on siblings