Congenital Heart Defects are the most common birth defect. Approximately 25% of children born with a CHD will need heart surgery or other interventions within the first year of life to survive.

GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS

 

Step 1: Determine your eligibility

 

LPCF assists families who have children suffering from a congenital heart defect by covering out-of-pocket expenses incurred from cardiac-related inpatient hospital stays, as well as medically necessary items that are not covered by third party payors, such as home oxygen, pulse ox machines, and prescription co-payments. Individual candidates must meet the following criteria:

 

• Louisiana resident for the prior 12 months (unless under 12 months of age)

• Must reside in the following parishes:

  • Region 1 – Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Lafourche, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, Saint Helena, Saint James, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana

  • Region 2 – Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Rapides, Saint Landry, Vermilion, Vernon

  • Region 3 – Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, Desoto, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Tensas, Union, Webster, West Carroll, Winn

• Traveling within or outside of the state of Louisiana for a child's heart surgery

• In need of financial support due to expenses incurred as a result of a child with a congenital heart defect

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Step 2: Submit a Grant Application

 

LPCF grant applications are available at Pediatric Cardiology Associates and Pediatric Cardiology of Louisiana and can be emailed to info@lpcf.com or can be accessed and submitted electronically by clicking the link below. The application MUST be completed entirely, including the date of your child's surgery or procedure, and will not be processed if incomplete.

 

Step 3: Grant Processing and Review

 

Once your completed grant application has been received, it will be processed and reviewed by a board committee. Grants are submitted to the committee bimonthly. Following review of your grant application, LPCF will contact you to inform you if your family has or has not been selected for a grant. If your family has been selected, a check will be mailed to the address provided on the application. The entire process from submission to receiving a check may take 3-4 weeks, so please submit your application when a surgery date has been scheduled. Requests for immediate grant receipts will not be considered.

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LPCF GRANT APPLICATION FAQs

Q:  What can the grant money be used for? 

A:  Eligible expenses include:

• Travel to and from cardiac surgical center (airfare, gas, rental car, etc.)

• Lodging and meals during stay for surgical procedure

• Oxygen and other medically-necessary items not covered by third party payers

• Prescriptions with hefty co-pays

• Durable medical equipment not covered by third party payers

• Medical education related to advancing pediatric cardiology care in the target region

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Q:  What can the grant money NOT be used for?

A:  Items not meeting eligibility requirements include:

• Patients with non-cardiac illnesses

• Patients who are not residents of the list of parishes above

• Physician professional fees

• Items covered by third party payers

• Utilities

• Reimbursements of expenses related to pediatric cardiology primary practice sites or satellite clinics

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Q:  What is an appropriate request amount?    

A:  The requested amount should be based on out-of-pocket expenses incurred versus the family’s income and ability to pay such bills.

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Q:  How many grants can a family apply for?    

A:  A child can receive up to 2 grants per year.

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Q:  If our grant is approved, will I receive it before traveling for my child’s surgery?    

A:  Our goal is to mail out grant checks about a week before the travel date. Grant applications should be submitted at least 2 weeks before the surgery date, if possible.

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Q:  My baby hasn’t been born yet. If our grant is approved, when can I expect to receive a check?    

A:  Prenatal requests are processed after the baby is born and just before the surgery date.

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Should you have any further questions and/or concerns, please contact:

 

Angelle Bourgeois

angelle.bourgeois@lpcf.com

(225) 768-2590

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