Finding healthcare resources can sometimes be problematic for people with disabilities. For instance, medical offices might not be accessible or have accessible equipment. People with disabilities might be uninsured or underinsured. Providers might also be so focused on the person’s disability that they neglect to discuss other health issues. Learn how to navigate the health care system and become an active participant in your health care.
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Overview of the requirements for medical care facilities including accessible examination rooms and medical equipment.
Directory of medical providers who specialize in cerebral palsy and developmental medicine.
Several federal health programs offer services to people with disabilities. Medicare covers a broad range of health services for people with permanent disabilities as well those 65 or older. Medicaid covers people with disabilities who have lower incomes.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers health care coverage to children who need health insurance, live in homes with modest income, and cannot get Medicaid. CHIP programs are run by states with a mix of state and federal funding. Each state has different rules about who and what CHIP covers.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the comprehensive health care reform law enacted in 2010. ACA is the most significant law for people with disabilities since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. It will bring about comprehensive reforms that will benefit Americans with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination based on health status and improving access to care. Read more about the Affordable Care Act and People with Disabilities.
Health insurance laws vary by state. Please direct questions about coverage guidelines and protections in your state to the appropriate state health insurance department, which can be located online through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.
All about the Affordable Care Act including specifics of the law, how to find insurance options and how to compare quality of care.
CMS is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state governments to administer Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and health insurance portability standards.
