And that's a good thing, she said, because before she was approved for Medicaid, her worries extended to how she was going to pay for his care.

Carter-Shaw didn't have health insurance on July 24, the day a homemade firework exploded in a Lehi neighborhood and tore open her 11-year-old boy's torso and leg.

Even after she was approved for Medicaid, she worried the state would come knocking on her door to recoup some of the program's costs, demanding the money she collected from fundraisers.

As it turns out, her bigger problem may be holding onto the Medicaid coverage itself.

While money raised by Bridger's family would not be sought by Medicaid for repayment of his medical costs, it could be considered an asset, said Alex Yei, director of Utah Medicaid's Program Integrity Unit.

"It could be detrimental to Medicaid eligibility from an asset guideline [perspective,] depending on the type of the Medicaid program," he said.

Carter-Shaw said donated dollars have been put into a trust for Bridger to cover future out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as wheelchairs and physical therapy.

"He's going to need medical care for the rest of his life," she said. "This is something that is forever."

To be clear, Yei said, Medicaid will seek reimbursement for Bridger's medical bills - but not from his family. Instead, the state program will go after the person considered criminally liable for the injuries - in this case, Craig A. Miller, the man charged with building the explosive.

Yei said Medicaid can garnishee up to 50 percent of Miller's wages and seek his unprotected assets to "make the state and federal government's . . . costs whole."

Bridger's mother said he is expected to remain hospitalized for months.

On Monday, his family said they saw hope in the boy's eyes - which were partially open after several days in an induced coma. Bridger was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday to check for blood clots in his brain, said Dyanne Richan-Casper, the boy's grandmother.

Doctors at Primary Children's Medical Center have not figured out why Bridger's white blood cell count remains high and why antibiotics have stopped working, said another family member, Debi Richan. They have been unable to rid Bridger of a fever nor lower his elevated heart rate and blood pressure, she said.

But there has been progress. Bridger has opened his eyes and reached out with his hand, Richan said. Doctors also have been able to pinpoint the source of a serious infection in his abdominal wounds. Depending on MRI results, doctors may take Bridger out of a coma on Tuesday, Richan said. Family members are worried about how he'll react.

"Imagine being him. He's 11 years old and completely immobilized. He can't remember what happened or why he's there," Richan said. "It's like a horrible Stephen King movie."

lrosetta@sltrib.com

abreton@sltrib.com