Insurance Doesn’t Cover That?

When most people hear the words “medical insurance,” they assume it covers everything a child with a disability might need. After all, isn’t that the point of having insurance…to take care of the big, overwhelming costs? Unfortunately, the reality is much different.

Raising a child with disabilities means living in a constant state of financial gymnastics. While insurance may cover the basics—doctor’s visits, medications, a limited number of therapies—it often stops short of providing what our children actually need. And when it comes to life-changing equipment and therapy, the answer is far too often: “Sorry, that’s not covered.”

Why Intensive Therapy Isn’t Covered

Most insurance plans only cover traditional therapy, often capped at around 30 visits a year combined between PT and OT. A typical session lasts just 30–45 minutes. Do the math—that’s only about 22.5 hours of therapy in an entire year.

To put that in perspective: kids spend more time at sports practice in a single month than many children with disabilities get in therapy for the whole year.

That’s why so many families turn to intensive therapy. Unlike the standard model, intensives run in 2–3 week blocks, with 3–4 hours of therapy per day. This level of repetition is what children need to build strength, endurance, and confidence. Progress doesn’t come from a handful of short sessions spread across months, it comes from concentrated, daily work over weeks at a time.

So why isn’t it covered? Insurance companies reimburse providers at a flat rate per session, no matter how long or how specialized that session is. That means a therapist gets paid the same whether they spend 30 minutes with a child or 3 hours. For clinics that specialize in intensive, hands-on, high-level therapy, accepting insurance simply doesn’t make sense most of the time and it doesn’t come close to reflecting the value of their time or expertise.

The result? Families like ours are left paying tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket for the very therapy models that produce the most meaningful progress. And when we’ve found a way to get Bennett into intensives, the difference has been incredible, each time, he’s gained skills and confidence we weren’t sure he’d ever reach.

Why Adaptive Equipment and Orthotics Aren’t Fully Covered

Another area where families constantly hit roadblocks is adaptive equipment and orthotics—the very tools that allow children to move, communicate, and participate in everyday life.

Here’s the catch: kids grow. And they don’t grow on insurance’s timeline.

• Walkers, standers, and gait trainers may only be approved once every several years. But when Bennett has a growth spurt after just a year, suddenly the equipment no longer fits safely, yet insurance won’t authorize a new one. Families are left scrambling—buying used equipment, sharing between families, or paying out of pocket.

• Orthotics (AFOs, SMOs, braces, etc.) are another constant battle. They support alignment, protect joints, and make mobility possible. But children’s feet grow quickly, sometimes needing new orthotics every 6–9 months. Insurance might only cover one pair a year or not cover them at all, leaving families to pay thousands of dollars per pair just to keep their child walking comfortably and safely.

• Adaptive bikes and trikes allow kids like Bennett to ride alongside their peers. But insurance deems them “recreational” instead of medical. Families are told they’re a luxury even though they build strength, endurance, and confidence just like traditional therapy does.

The bottom line: growth doesn’t wait for coverage. Children outgrow their equipment faster than insurance will approve replacements, and parents are forced to fill the gap.

The Real Cost of “Not Covered”

For most families, these costs add up to tens of thousands of dollars each year on top of already managing medical appointments, childcare, and everyday expenses. Many parents quietly fundraise, work extra jobs, or max out credit cards just to keep their child moving forward.

And here’s the hardest truth: when families can’t afford these extras, children miss opportunities for progress. Skills that could be gained are left on the table. Independence is delayed. Inclusion becomes harder.

Why Organizations Like WolfPups Exist

This is why WolfPups on Wheels exists. We step into the gap when insurance says no. We believe every child deserves access to therapies, equipment, and opportunities that allow them to live fully—not just survive.

We know what it feels like to hear “not covered” when you’re fighting for your child. We know the exhaustion of trying to figure it out alone. And we know the joy of watching Bennett take a step, ride a bike, or use his AAC device to share his thoughts.

A Small Nonprofit with a Big Purpose

It’s important to remember that most of the nonprofits in this space are just like us—small, parent- or community-driven organizations doing everything we can to help a handful of families at a time. We don’t have massive funding. We don’t have endless resources. In fact, we are still applying for grants ourselves just to make sure Bennett gets the resources he needs.

What we do have is determination, empathy, and firsthand knowledge of what these kids truly need. And I’m not someone who can sit back idle and do nothing about a problem that is so pervasive in the disability community.

WolfPups was born out of our love for Bennett and our determination to help him thrive. Now, we’re fighting to extend that same opportunity to other children whose families are climbing the same uphill battles.

Every donation, every sponsorship, every ounce of support we receive goes directly toward closing the gap between what insurance provides and what a child actually needs.

Because no parent should have to hear “insurance doesn’t cover that” and wonder how they’ll make it work. Your dollars don’t just buy equipment or therapy hours—they buy independence, confidence, and a future for a child who deserves it.

Together, we can rewrite the story—one child, one family, one victory at a time. And I promise: you will never regret being part of that kind of change.