Medical Care Grants

Purpose: Financial assistance to help families afford medical care and treatments for children with special needs who have been adopted.

Show Hope offers Medical Care grants to offset medical expenses for adopted children experiencing medical needs. These grants are designed to help families feel confident in their ability to provide comprehensive care for children with complex medical conditions after adoption.

Key Statistic: According to a leading adoption agency, 68% of intercountry adoptions processed in 2019 involved children with special needs.

Geographic Scope

• US-based families
• Medical care must be received in the U.S.
• Children adopted internationally or domestically

Eligibility Requirements

• Child's adoption must be finalized prior to application
• Child must be under 18 years old at time of application
• Child receiving medical care in the U.S.
• Families who received Show Hope Adoption Aid grants are encouraged to apply
• Previous Medical Care grant recipients can reapply with 3-year waiting period between awards for same child

Covered Medical Expenses

• Medical procedures and surgeries
• Hospital stays
• Physician-administered treatments
• Medical equipment: wheelchairs, patient lifts, specialized medical devices recommended by physician
• Rehabilitative physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Cognitive rehabilitative therapy (if addressing known medical diagnosis confirmed by physician)
• Dental procedures (only if necessary to treat medical diagnosis or accommodate underlying health conditions, case-by-case basis)

NOT Covered

• Behavioral health services and counseling (not eligible at this time)
• Home and vehicle modifications
• Travel and lodging expenses
• Preventative dental care
• Orthodontics
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Clinical trials
• Medications not approved by FDA
• Medical treatment not aligned with Show Hope's Statement of Faith

Grant Terms

• Duration: Active for 24 months from award date
• Extensions: Families may request written extension before 24-month mark
• Maximum Duration: Grants fully expire 36 months after award date
• Reapplication: New application required after full expiration
• Multiple Applications: Families can apply multiple times for one child with 3-year waiting period between awards
• Multiple Children: Can apply for multiple children simultaneously (separate application required for each child)

Payment Method

• Show Hope preference: Direct payment to medical care provider
• Alternative: Reimbursement to family with proof of payment and invoice/receipt from provider

Restrictions

• Due to 501(c)(3) status and IRS regulations, donors cannot designate gifts to specific families or children receiving Medical Care grants

Statement of Faith Requirement

Medical treatment must align with Show Hope's Statement of Faith

Contact & Application

• Visit showhope.org for application and more information

How to Apply for Medical Care Grants

1. Eligibility Check
   • Ensure child's adoption is finalized
   • Confirm child is under 18 years old
   • Verify medical care is being received in the U.S.
2. Gather Required Documentation
   • Proof of finalized adoption
   • Medical documentation and diagnosis from physician
   • Itemized medical care plan and cost estimates
   • Proof of any previous payments made (if applicable)
   • Invoices and receipts from medical providers
3. Consult with Medical Provider
   • Obtain physician confirmation that treatment aligns with medical necessity
   • For dental procedures: Obtain written physician confirmation
   • For cognitive therapy: Obtain physician confirmation of medical diagnosis
4. Submit Application
   • Complete application form (available at showhope.org)
   • Include all required documentation
   • Submit via website portal or mail (contact Show Hope for submission options)
5. Review Process
   • Show Hope reviews application for qualification and eligibility
   • Organization may request additional information
   • Decisions on contentious items made case-by-case
6. Grant Award & Use
   • Upon approval, funds disbursed according to Show Hope's payment preference
   • Family maintains documentation of medical expenses
   • Family notifies Show Hope if major amendments to medical care plan occur

Documentation Required

• Adoption finalization documents
• Medical diagnosis and treatment plan from physician
• Itemized cost estimates for medical care
• Previous payment receipts (if reimbursement requested)
• Medical provider invoices
• Statement of Faith alignment confirmation (for certain treatments)

Important Notes

• No pre-finalization applications accepted
• Behavioral health applications: Not eligible (except cognitive therapy for medical diagnosis, considered case-by-case)
• Medical necessity documentation required
• Grant may be terminated if no extension request submitted after 24 months