The Applicability of the Life Care Plan for Adopted Children With Disabilities: What Will Medicaid Pay?

At the end of 2006, there were approximately 126,000 children in the United States’ foster care system awaiting adoption (U.S. Department of Health, Children’s Bureau, 2008). Of these children, 60% were diagnosed with emotional, mental, or physical disabilities—conditions collectively referred to as “special needs.” Despite the disproportionate number of children with special needs, potential parents are more likely to adopt a child without a known disability (U.S. Department of Health, Children’s Bureau, 2008)