Medical Housing: Resources & Support
If your child is undergoing treatment for a serious medical condition, you and other members of your family may be eligible to stay close to the hospital or facility where your child is receiving care. The resources in this guide are a great place to start if you are preparing for a hospital stay, a long course of treatment, or if your child has an emergent medical need far from home. Your child’s care team may be aware of additional local resources beyond what is listed here. Ask to be connected with a social worker or resource navigator for additional support in finding medical housing.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Since 1974, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) Chapters have provided homes away from home for families with children who are ill or injured.
The House program is just one of many services provided by RMHC that address the essential needs of families all along their child’s healthcare journey. Use the RMHC Chapter Locator to find services in your area. In addition to medical housing you may find local support programs to meet other needs. If your local Ronald McDonald House program is full or unable to provide housing to your family for any reason, ask if they have a list of local hotels and facilities that may provide lodging at a discounted rate.
Hospitality Houses & Additional Lodging Programs
The Healthcare Hospitality Network (HHN) has a housing locator with listings of member programs by zip code. Program eligibility requirements vary and may include age, condition, travel distance, financial need, and more.
Joe’s House Lodging Locator lists thousands of places to stay across the country near hospitals and treatment centers that offer a discount for traveling patients and their loved ones.
Financial Support - Travel & Lodging
Paying out of pocket for lodging and travel expenses can add up quickly. Dealing with these added costs can make an already difficult situation even more challenging, which is why many organizations have made it their mission to help bridge the financial gap for families in need. You can find a variety of financial support links through the RedTreehouse.org Financial Support Pathway. Most organizations limit support to an exclusive audience based on medical condition or circumstance. Some of the more common areas of need include:
Financial Support Search & Application Tips
Before submitting a funding application or request, carefully read materials provided by the organization on their website to make sure you meet the application criteria.
Talk to your child’s physician or care team before pursuing funding for durable medical equipment or supplies to avoid acquiring something that may not fit your child’s needs.
Speak to a resource navigator or medical social worker to help find resources that are exclusive to your local community or care facility.
Send thank you notes and pictures after you receive support from an organization. Their staff and volunteers will be grateful to see how their work touched your life.
It is common for an organization to temporarily suspend a program for any number of reasons. If you find that a resource is unavailable, make a note to check back later.
There are many community service or charitable organizations that give help in local communities. Easterseals, Elks Lodge, Kiwanis, Lions Clubs, and Junior Leagues are among the service organizations that often help families in need. Each local chapter manages its own programs, grants, and gifts. Contact the local chapters of the organizations listed here to see if they can provide assistance to your family.
Medicare & Health Insurance
While medical housing is not commonly covered by Medicaid or private health insurance programs, here are some tips to keep in mind related to your child’s insurance coverage.
Medicaid coverage opportunities vary by state. Some states have provisions or waivers for travel-related expenses (often termed non-emergency medical transportation or NEMT). If your child is Medicaid eligible be sure to review information related to your state to uncover any opportunities that are available to you. A resource navigator or medical social worker may be able to provide additional information on this topic.
Medical housing and associated costs may be deductible on your annual federal tax return. It is important to save receipts and keep records of mileage while traveling for an appointments. Learn more in this publication from the IRS, or contact a trusted tax professional for more information.
