Anyone know about Oregon's adoption subsidies?

Question

We're adopting through foster care. We'll be going to committee in just a few days for a little girl who just had her first birthday. Will she be eligible for medical and mental health care subsidies? She has some medical needs at present, and there is a very good chance that she will need continuing medical care, and possibly mental health care in the future. Does anyone know if she will be eligible? If so, does anyone know the process, or have any information that might come in handy?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Gaia,

While I don't know about Oregon particularly, I believe that she should qualify for state subsidies based on what you describe for her medical condition.  We adopted from NJ and live in PA, and were told that it didn't matter on the state, our son's medical conditions qualified him for medical assistance and a monthly adoption subsidy.  The person who handles our subsidy for our son is our local Children & Youth Department.  

One thing I do want to mention to you is even if you think you do not need the monthly subsidy, apply for it anyway.  We did, thinking it would be a way to put money away for school in the event that our son didn't need it for medical care.  Truth is though that we use a lot of the monthly subsidy for his medical care because we cannot find a local pediatrician who knows of his disorder that accepts medical assistance.  Because of this, we have no one to write referrals for medical assistance specialists and medical assistance won't cover the visits unless a medical assistance doctor refers you to the specialist, so unfortunately, if we want our son to receive the best care, most of the time it is without the help of medical assitance and the adoption subsidy helps in those cases.  

Good luck to you.  Congrats on the new addition to your family.

Answer 2

What you're doing is very nice.  But don't forget that you're dealing with the state of Woe-Be-Gone and from everything I've heard they will take all they can get.  I would ask those questions and get the answers in writing and NOTARIZED.  Even if the answers are all "No" you haven't hurt anything by asking.  Good luck and I hope you and your beautiful new baby girl have a wonderful life together!  =)

Answer 3

We have adopted in three different states, which all seem to follow basically, the same polices. The amount of the subsidy might differ, but our children were entitled, to the subsidy and a medical card.

We are African American, and so are our children, because of their ethically, they were considered, special needs.

Children, that have medical needs should be eligible for the subsidy also. If your family is selected, just before the adoption is finial, your adoption worker will, give you all the information you need, it is not based on your income.

The worker will know, when the baby is placed in your home, if she/he is eligible for subsidy, this is determined before she/he is placed in their prospective adoptive home.

Answer 4

Until you adopt she will be covered by the state but I wouldn't expect it to be quality coverage. You have to pretty much take her to physicians that accept medicaid. The state automatically pays the physician.  I'm not 100percent sure but I'm sure this is how its set up.  

Answer 5

I don't know the answers for sure, as they would be too particular to her situation. While you are fostering, everything would be covered. And I would bet that even after adoption she'd have medical care subsidy at least, depending on how serious the special needs are. I'd suspect that the mental health care would be inadequate -- it always is (not just for foster care, I mean for everyone all over the country). I kind of understand why you wouldn't want to ask the Social Workers right now, even though they are the obvious best source. Maybe another foster/adopt family would know?

Anyway, I just wanted to send you my hugs and best wishes!!!

Hugs! Andrea

(btw, I FINALLY got the tape player to work to dub, now I just need to find the file with the song list and find your address again and mail it)

Answer 6

This is something you should ask your social worker, not a group on Yahoo.  Don't you have health insurance like everyone else?  Stop asking for hand outs!  If you can not afford a child, don't adopt one!

Answer 7

Everyone I have spoken to that is working with the foster care system had medical benefits provided to the child.  I do believe that when you have a child that is considered special needs they give you a stipend...even after the adoption is finalized.  Best of luck with this endeavor.  Having 2 special needs children, I know the journey that you are about to embark on.  You MUST advocate for the child from day 1...the insurance will try to fight you tooth and nail to not cover the needed services...fight back and fight back strong...early intervention is key.  Good luck!