Skip of New York

FAQs


Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear. If you do not see the answer to your question, please contact us by email (info@skipofny.org) or phone (212) 268-5999.

Note the questions below jump to the answers below.

What does SKIP stand for?

SKIP stands for Sick Kids [Need] Involved People. Medically fragile and developmentally disabled children and their families face a unique set of challenges, SKIP helps them find a way forward to the services they need.

What does SKIP do?

SKIP helps medically fragile and/or developmentally disabled children in the state of New York get (and stay!) home from hospitals and institutions to live with their families. SKIP is based on the belief that every child deserves an opportunity to have the best childhood he or she can get, and as such, it acts as a free medical concierge connecting children to the help they need. Each year, SKIP helps over 5,000 children by linking them to a wide range of services from nursing care, medical equipment and home modifications to educational and recreational programs. Over 150 Case Managers put the services in place so that children can live at home with their families, enhance the healing process, participate in their schools and communities, realize their full potential – and reduce the cost of their healthcare.

What does a Case Manager do?

Every child and his/her family is assigned a personal Case Manager who will advocate for and champion the needs of your child. The Case Manager is the principal contact for the family and coordinates all care. An assessment and initial plan of service to best meets the child’s needs is developed with input from the Case Manager, who then helps put the plan into place. Questions and concerns regarding treatment and its effectiveness as well as other problems are also typically directed to the child’s Case Manager.

Who does SKIP help?

SKIP helps medically fragile children as well as children with developmental disabilities across all socioeconomic groups. The list of diagnoses for the children SKIP serves can be grouped into four general categories: Autism & Related Disorders (27%); Other Developmental Disabilities (38%); Birth Defects (22%); and Accidents & Others Illnesses (13%). Every diagnosis and family situation is different, and SKIP currently treats children with hundreds of medical conditions (the list is over eight pages long), including autism, cerebral palsy, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, mental retardation, traumatic brain injury, congenital heart defects, HIV/AIDS, sickle-cell anemia and cancer, among many others. SKIP also provides service coordination and advocacy for young people 18 years and older who have aged out of programs for children. Finally, SKIP has recently become a state-authorized provider of service coordination for disabled individuals of all ages who want to live outside of institutions.

Where does SKIP work?

SKIP cares for the children of New York State. Although 70% of the families SKIP helps live in the five boroughs of New York City, we also have offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Painted Post and Port Jefferson. SKIP partners with a variety of provider networks located across New York State to ensure quality of care regardless of proximity to the SKIP offices.

How do I access help?

You can contact SKIP of New York at any time to see if your child qualifies for services. SKIP never turns a family away, even if the child does not immediately qualify for services due to governmental guidelines. We provide the government mandated initial psychological evaluation and offer case management services through the entire application process.

What does it cost to get help from SKIP?

SKIP of New York is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and does not charge families for the services it provides. Additionally, SKIP helps families manage the extraordinary cost of care by finding reimbursable services and by accessing services for at-home care. At-home care not only benefits the child from a psychological and medical perspective, it also allows families to reduce healthcare costs by as much as 80% annually.

Is there a waiting list?

SKIP maintains a no-refusal policy and charges no fees to families for its services. While SKIP does not yet have the funding for outreach, 40 new families still find us each month through word of mouth. As a result, some children must wait for help. On average, the list is consistently 250 to 300 children long and enrollment typically takes 12 to 18 months. SKIP carries the costs of enrollment and services during that time.

How many children does SKIP help?

Each year, SKIP helps approximately 5,000 medically fragile and/or developmentally disabled children in the State of New York access the care they need.

When did SKIP launch?

SKIP of New York was incorporated as 501 (c)(3) in 1983 by co-founders Margaret and Yves Mikol. For more information, click here.

Can SKIP help me if I have private insurance?

Yes! Many of the families we work with have private insurance and still apply for Medicaid waiver services, which offer many reimbursable services not covered by private insurance.

What happens to SKIP kids when they turn 18 years old?

SKIP of New York accommodates families based on need, not age. If certain services are limited by age, SKIP will work with that family to ensure that their need for care continues to be met.

How can I help SKIP?

There are many ways to help SKIP, from making a donation and purchasing an item from the SKIP Home Collection of Jewelry by Carelle, to attending a SKIP event. Click here for more information.

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