How to access the Children's Emergency Medical Fund

It has been the policy of the Children’s Emergency Medical Fund to require membership in the Mid-Atlantic Pediatric Society. There are no dues required for membership. CEMFNJ is the official foundation of the Pediatric Society. We will accept cases from non affiliated physicians however, for information exchange purposes it is much easier for us to take cases directly from members. Most pediatricians in the state are members.

As a general rule, pediatricians, medical facilities and clinics contact the Fund on behalf of their patients when emergency assistance is required. The following are some examples of cases that we accept:

• The insurer has cut the patient off from benefits the physician deems necessary in spite of appeals. The Fund will advocate and seek state agency and legal assistance as required. Funds and services will be made available based on need.
• The physician has prescribed medication or durable medical equipment not covered by insurance but, medically necessary. Grants can be made available to cover these expenses.
• The family is in dire need of funds due to the cost of caring for the sick child outside the domain of the insurer.
• The child has no insurance or has limited insurance. In this instance, the Fund will purchase prescribed emergency medications for the child (as a bridge) and assist the family in securing insurance coverage or charity care either privately or through state assisted programs.
• The child must be referred out of state and the insurer has either denied the request or not made a decision and time is of the essence.
• The child requires home video monitoring.

The physician, referring clinic or hospital is required to provide all necessary medical and case information to the Fund in order for a decision to be made. We rely, to an extent, on the discretion of the referring medical professionals as to the financial needs of the referred family.