Medicaid Rules Leave Disabled Children Without Coverage

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) A loophole in Utah's Medicaid system has left several disabled children without coverage for their nutritional supplements. State Medicaid officials have determined that most food supplements will only be reimbursed if given through a feeding tube. The rule leaves Rob Faerber's severely disabled 13-year-old without coverage for her expensive formula.

"The feeding tube wasn't working out for her, she had a lot of complications," says Faerber. "We removed the tube and went back to the bottle, but then Medicaid said 'Oh she's not being fed by a tube, therefore it's not medically necessary.'"

Federal guidelines give Utah wide berth in determining what nutritional supplements to cover. A Medicaid spokesman says food -- like clothing, shelter or hygiene products -- falls into an area not covered as quote "medically necessary" unless given through a feeding tube.

To feed his daughter, Faerber now says he relies on local food banks and charities that collect baby formula. He and other parents with similar problems will gather tonight to meet with local politicians at the Salt Lake Main Library at seven.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW