(815) 464-1832
Mon - Thurs: 9:00am - 5:00pm | Fri: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Illinois Life Span Program

Diaper Fact Sheet

Last Updated September 2023

This Fact Sheet is available for download in the following languages:

Please Note: The Arc of IL, including the Family to Family Health Information Center and Illinois Life Span, does not provide diapers.

Some children and youth with special needs may require diapers for a much longer time than what is considered to be typical. Others may need diapers throughout their lives. This document offers information that families may find helpful in coping with this expense.

When seeking funding, remember that the official term is “disposable incontinent supplies.” In other words, do not ask the doctor/provider for a prescription for “diapers.”

Individuals insured by Medicaid/AllKids in Illinois – person must be 4 years old or older. The upper age limit is 99.

Illinois Medicaid also has regulations on quantity allowed per month.

Private insurance companies – if they cover this service, may have different age limits. Diapers are rarely covered by private insurance.

  1. Individual needs a letter of medical necessity from physician/doctor (e.g. – “John Doe is my patient. His diagnosis is [fill in the blank]. Due to this diagnosis, he is not able to be toilet trained and requires disposable incontinent briefs in the amount of # per day)
  2. Individual needs a prescription from physician/doctor in addition to letter.

This is the insurance provider that covers the incontinence supplies. It can be: Private insurance through an employer, Affordable Care Act, Union Medicaid/All Kids, DSCC, or Other, or some combination of the above.

This is the company that sells the incontinent supplies and is willing to bill your insurance/third-party payor. Ask friends, classmates, and providers for names of companies/vendors in your area.

If you are enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care (MCO) Plan, you can only obtain diapers from a vendor who is contracted with your MCO. You will need to first contact your Care Coordinator at your health plan. (If you need a Care Coordinator, please call the toll-free customer service number printed on your insurance card.) IL MCO’s include: Blue Cross/Blue Shield: 877-860-2837; Aetna Better Health: 866-329-4701; Molina: 855-687-7861; Meridian: 866-606-3700; and County Care (for Cook County residents): (312) 864-8200.

You can also look online for vendors who will ship directly to you, and possibly bill your third-party payor. You need to find this out before you place your order. Follow the rules established by your third-party payor.

You cannot go into a retail store and pay for incontinent supplies with a Medicaid card or an insurance card. A medical supply store may accept a third party payor but you will need to ask about this specifically.

  • If you have Medicaid and private insurance – you can only use vendors who accept both forms of coverage. NOTE: Medicare does not cover adult diapers or incontinent supplies: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/incontinence-supplies-adult-diapers
  • You must get a denial letter from private coverage first before Medicaid will pay the claim if you have both forms of coverage (same rules apply if you have a Medicaid waiver as with “regular” Medicaid).
  • You can only obtain supplies per the frequency and amount prescribed by your physician/doctor.
  • If you have private insurance only, coverage may not be an included benefit – but submit a claim and appeal anyhow.
  • You may be able to deduct “incontinent supplies” as a qualified medical expense from income taxes, if you qualify. See IRS Publication 502 Medical and Dental Expenses for more information.

You cannot include in medical expenses the amount you pay for diapers or diaper services, unless they are needed to relieve the effects of a particular disease.

If your child received services from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC), contact your DSCC contact for more information: https://dscc.uic.edu/find-an-office/contact-us

Consider one or more of the following options to set aside money to cover the cost of incontinent supplies:

  • Ask friends and family to save coupons for you and watch for sales on incontinent supplies (a/k/a diapers).
    • The Krazy Coupon Lady: https://thekrazycouponlady.com/coupons/diaper
    • The Simon Foundation for Continence: Directory of Diaper Banks for Adult Incontinence Products (may be inactive)
    • Continence Central-About Reimbursement for Continence Products (may be inactive)

You will need to provide the diapers and other needed supplies at school and at other places/programs in which your child participates. Arranging for adequate supplies in all of your child’s environments is important.

It is essential to disclose or to share information about your child’s toileting needs up front with any caregivers and/or school staff.

The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center 

815-464-1832 x1017

Return to Fact Sheet Library