Healthcare Resources for People with Disabilities
Accessing health care services can often be a barrier to wellness for people with disabilities. Medical offices might not be accessible or have accessible equipment and many people with disabilities are uninsured or underinsured.
We know that not all providers are knowledgeable in caring for a people with disabilities. Asking questions and providing information to your doctor builds trust and leads to better health outcomes. Learn how to become an active participant in your health care through information provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research.
Other healthcare resources can be accessed at American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine.
Health Insurance
People with disabilities may receive benefits from several federal health programs. 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.
The 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.
