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General Tips to Keep in Mind When Seeking Funding

Funding Resources home

These advocacy tips were compiled by the Arkansas ICAN organization, and will strengthen your advocacy skills.

Attitude
Communication
Homework
Praise

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Getting Started
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FAQs

Attitude

  • Be polite and pleasant, but always business-like.
  • Offer your cooperation and willingness to prove medical necessity and show how it will benefit the consumer and the funding source.
  • When questioned, try to educate and inform in an assertive fashion, emphasizing the long-term monetary benefits to the funding source.
  • Never threaten with legal action. This is heard often and will not intimidate any agency or insurance company.

Communication

  1. Communicate in writing whenever possible. (If you communicate in person, write a letter to confirm the conversation and ask for a reply if you haven't clearly communicated what was said.) Maintain regular continuity with the funding source and do not permit time gaps of three or more months between communications.
  2. Direct letters or calls to the same person each time to encourage a positive working relationship.
  3. Thoroughly document all written and verbal communications.

Do your homework

Being prepared also means thinking about objections that the funding source could present to your request. While you can't prepare for every objection or excuse that might be prevented, you may find it helpful to think up responses for these common excuses for NOT funding assistive technology such as:

  • The law says we can't help you.
  • We would like to provide you funding, but we have limited resources.
  • We are payer of last resort, so come back to us after you have exhausted all other resources. We don't agree these needs could be met by assistive technology. What you want costs too much! We have limits on what we can spend on a single client.
  • You are not eligible for services from this agency.
  • Although this kind of device would be optimum for your needs, we are not required to provide that level  of service.
  • Talk to your insurance company. This is who should assist you. We can put you on a waiting list.
  • Our professional experts don't agree with your assessment of needs.

Praise

  • When someone (a case manager, therapist, durable medical equipment [DME] dealer, etc.) "goes that extra mile" to help your cause, express your sincere thanks and appreciation.
  • Be patient and diplomatic while being persistent and enduring, or stated another way, you should "SPAR"—Show Patience And Respect.
  • Remember: DON'T GIVE UP!  Persistence is the most important part of advocacy!
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