What Does “Medically Underinsured” Mean — and Why Does It Matter?

The B.A.B.Y. Foundation
Aug 2
2 min read

When we talk about the families The B.A.B.Y. Foundation helps, you often hear the term medically underinsured. But what does that really mean, and why is it so important?

Let’s break it down — and share why your support makes such a powerful difference for these families.

What is “Medically Underinsured”?

Simply put, being medically underinsured means that even though a family has health insurance, their policy doesn’t come close to covering the real cost of their child’s medical care.

These families are left facing high out-of-pocket costs, deductibles or co-pays. Sometimes, they even have to pay the entire bill for treatments or equipment that insurance doesn’t cover at all. It’s not that they’re uninsured — it’s that their insurance isn’t enough to prevent financial strain.

The Real Cost of Care

For families with a child facing a serious medical condition, the numbers can be staggering.

A single MRI scan can cost between $2,000 and $5,000 — and not all of it is covered.
A hospital stay can run $2,500 to $5,000 per night or more, depending on care level needed.
Chemotherapy treatments can easily cost upwards of $10,000 per month.
Medical equipment for home use such as feeding tubes, wheelchairs, or oxygen supplies often require thousands of dollars out-of-pocket, even with insurance.
Travel to specialty hospitals and extended stays away from home add to the financial burden: gas, hotels, meals, and lost income from missed work.

For many families, these bills pile up quickly — sometimes reaching tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single year.

Why It Matters

The emotional toll of caring for a child with serious medical needs is already immense. Adding the stress of crushing medical bills makes it even harder.

At The B.A.B.Y. Foundation, we believe no family should have to choose between paying for their child’s care and meeting their basic needs. That’s why we step in to help cover these uncovered costs — so families can focus on what truly matters: helping their child heal.