How Much Does Cerebral Palsy Cost? (Monthly & Lifetime Treatment Costs)

If you’re the parent of a child with CP, knowing the approximate lifetime cost of cerebral palsy treatment can help you “think ahead” and prepare. So our goal with this article is to give you a general sense of how much cerebral palsy treatment may cost. 

Please note that the numbers we’ll provide here are estimates. They can vary based on a child’s specific needs, and change over time. Little research is available about the exact expenses families with cerebral palsy have, so you may need to adjust some statistics to account for inflation. 

Raising a Child with Cerebral Palsy

CP is a permanent movement disorder, so treatment is lifelong. Ongoing treatment might include:

• Regular visits to doctors, therapists, and specialists.
• Medications
• Surgeries in severe cases
• Assistive equipment like wheelchairs, braces, and walkers 

Parents need to be strong and resourceful while raising a child with cerebral palsy. They often become advocates, fighting for their child’s needs. But beyond the emotional and physical demands, there’s a financial burden. 

Cerebral Palsy Cost Per Month

How much does cerebral palsy cost per month? It’s difficult to determine, but families might spend about $1,500 to $3,000 per month on medical care and therapy. That’s based on a $100 to $250 cost per therapy session. Children often need multiple sessions each week.

But therapy isn’t the only cost to shoulder. So your actual cerebral palsy cost per month could be much higher. Some children need medications to manage muscle stiffness and seizures. Also, special equipment (like wheelchairs, braces, and communication devices) can cost thousands of dollars. They may require regular maintenance and upgrades. 

One 2012 Australian study found that equipment for children with CP can cost about $780 USD for children with mild cerebral palsy, and almost $4,000 USD for those with severe CP. This number is low, considering inflation rates. In 2024, a power wheelchair alone can cost $1,000 to $10,000. 

Cerebral Palsy Annual Cost

One study from 2019 compared annual Medicaid spending for children with CP with Medicaid spending for children without CP. 

Medical costs for children with CP were 15 times higher! ($22,383 for children with CP vs. $1,358 for other children in the Medicaid system).

The cost of raising a child with cerebral palsy can be higher if the child can’t walk. Treatment amounted to about $43,687 per year for non ambulatory children, as opposed to $10,368 for ambulatory children. 

Here’s a breakdown of where treatment dollars for CP usually go, according to the study mentioned above: 

• Medical services (59.8%) 
• Home health/long-term care/hospice care (29.1%)
• Pharmacy costs (11.1%)

You may also need to consider educational costs for a child with cerebral palsy. Your child may benefit from special education services, private tutoring, or attending a camp for children with disabilities. These services can be costly. Not all are covered by public funding.

Cerebral Palsy Lifetime Cost

According to a study published in 2003 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average lifetime cost to care for an individual with CP is nearly $1 million. In today’s dollars, that’s around $1.6 million. 

This includes medical expenses, therapy, and lost income for parents who might need to reduce work hours or stop working to care for their child.

Because of limited data, this study couldn’t include certain expenses in the total. These include:

• Caregiver costs
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Emergency department bills
• Residential care for CP patients who don’t live at home. 

Resources for Financial Assistance

Families raising a child with cerebral palsy don’t have to foot the bill alone! Here are some avenues for assistance to look into:

Health Insurance

Health insurance can cover many medical costs. Check with your provider to find out which cerebral palsy expenses are covered under your plan.

Charities

Many US charities offer grants and support to families of children with CP. They include:

• The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA)
• UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF)

Government Programs

Some government programs provide aid to children with disabilities. You can perform a search on the official government benefits website to find what you need.

Organizations

Many organizations in the US provide services such as housing and transportation for families affected by CP. They include:

• United Cerebral Palsy
• Cerebral Palsy Foundation

Compensation for Medical Malpractice

If medical malpractice caused your child’s condition, compensation might be available. This compensation can cover cerebral palsy costs related to:

• Medical bills
• Equipment
• Therapy
• Lost wages 
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

To find out if you have a case, send us a message. Our lawyers are experts in birth injury cases and have won millions of dollars for families of children with cerebral palsy.