How do I fund eye gaze equipment in California?

California’s Regional Centers support individuals with disabilities by providing and connecting families with early intervention services, respite care, child care, social skills classes, behavioral therapy, and more. The Regional Center is considered a payer of last resort, meaning they can potentially help cover the cost of an eye gaze system after other funding sources (such as private insurance, Medi-Cal, CCS, etc.) have denied coverage for the device, paid partial coverage, or denied coverage for accessories.

The Regional Center typically requires medical documentation showing that eye gaze is necessary for your child, along with proof that other funding sources have been tried first. That’s why the Regional Center may not be your first step in the process, but it can be a very important final one. To help you get coverage from the Regional Center, make sure to document everything and keep all communication in writing.

California Children’s Services is a state program for eligible children up to 21 years old with a disability. This program can work alongside Medi-Cal to help cover a portion or the full cost of an eye gaze system if your child is enrolled and qualifies for their program. Or, as Lobel explains, CCS can also help with whatever your other insurance does not cover (if you do not have Medi-Cal). For instance, your insurance might cover only the base eye gaze unit and not any accessories, such as arm mounts or special attachments. If that’s the case, CCS can be used to help fund the accessories needed for the device as well.

Much like Medi-Cal, CCS may also request a physician’s visit and clear documentation stating why your child needs an eye gaze device or technology. Again, if this is the case for your child, make sure you plan ahead and communicate with CCS and that they connect you with an in-network physician and DME provider to help minimize any delays.

For more information, see our full article about eye gaze.