Local family steps forward
to support child relief fund
Flanked by holiday decorations and wriggling 15-month-old triplets, Gov. James E. McGreevey and Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris recognized some of the families chosen to receive reimbursement grants from the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF), including the Revello family of Howell.
Christine Revello brought her energetic triplets to the ceremony in a three-seat baby stroller, along with her older son and a number of friends and relatives. She and her husband, Joseph, were insured when their triplet sons were born eight weeks premature.
However, insurance did not cover the cost of surgery for various respiratory, gastric and feeding problems that the low birth weight caused in Brendan, Christopher, and Nicholas. The triplet’s prolonged stay in a neonatal intensive care unit included many specialty consultations by a number of providers who were not part of the Revellos’ insurance network.
This left the Revellos with a significant financial burden. They applied to the CICRF for the uncovered expenses, and the commission approved each application for a total of more than $22,000. Their story is typical of the families whose struggles with catastrophic illness would have crippled their financial stability without help from this fund.
During the Statehouse ceremony in the governor’s office, Harris recognized the CICRF commissioners in attendance.
"Your diligence and guidance has helped save these families by helping bridge the gap between huge medical expenses and coverage handled by insurance," Harris said.
McGreevey said, "Awards for this half of the year totaled over $3.7 million to help 154 families across the state of New Jersey pay uncovered expenses associated with their children’s illnesses."
The commission awarded $3.5 million previously for the period ending last June.
"The fund serves as a safety net for families," said McGreevey. "The relief found in the financial benefit of the fund allows families to maintain their family life while caring for a sick child and coping with mounting medical bills. We applaud you," he said, addressing both the commission and the parents in attendance.
CICRF Commissioner Joan Applebaum emceed the ceremony.
The CICRF is collected from an annual surcharge of $1 per employee levied on all employers who are subject to the New Jersey Unemployment Compensation Law.
A family may qualify for the fund’s help if a child’s unreimbursed medical and related expenses exceed 10 percent of the family’s income up to $100,000, plus 15 percent of any excess income over $100,000. The child must have been 18 years or younger when the medical expenses were incurred, and families must be state residents.
"While the legislation that created the fund protects the anonymity of families applying for help, today’s five families stepped forward to share their experience at this ceremony as a way of encouraging other families who may be in need to apply for assistance," said Harris. "A family may have health insurance but coverage often is inadequate, and mounting bills can quickly become catastrophic for a family."
CICRF Executive Director Mary Ann Whiteman explained how the fund is awarded to families. "We define ‘catastrophic’ in terms of the economic impact the child’s illness has on the family. We look at how high the uncovered medical expenses are compared with the family income."
Expenses must have been incurred during a previous 12-month period, and expenses dating back to January 1988 will be considered. Families of any income level may qualify, and the fund does not limit coverage to specific diseases or diagnoses. Eligible medical and related expenses are those not fully covered by insurance, state or federal programs, and include hospital and physician’s bills, medications, medical equipment, psychiatric care, home health care, and specialized home and vehicle modifications.
For more information regarding the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, call 1-800-335-FUND.