Health Care
Wellness of children with disabilities and their families is important and the following resources may assist families in achieving positive health, quality of life, and wellbeing.
RAISE
RAISE is an OSEP project designed to provide information to families of children with disabilities. They have a great list of resources on health care for youth as they transition to adulthood. Lots of things to consider.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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Insurance
In order to address the needs of a child with a disability, various services may be needed (speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and multiple doctor visits). There are insurance options, in addition to private insurance, which might help families to obtain the needed services. The following resources provide some information on those insurance options.
Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Pennsylvania Health Law (PHLP) is a PA legal aid group dedicated to protecting and advancing health care rights. They have developed a useful flier on Getting Medical Assistance/Medicare.
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
CHIP provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Each state offers CHIP coverage (see PA website) and works closely with its state Medicaid program.
Waivers
Support Services Waivers (waivers) is a shortened term for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs. The name waiver comes from the fact that the federal government "waives" Medical Assistance (Medicaid) rules for institutional care in order for PA to use the same funds to provide supports and services for individuals in their homes and in their own communities.
Department of Human Services
This website provides general information on what waivers can be used for.
Department of Human Services, Office of Disability Supports
The Office of Disability Supports recorded a webinar on waives. In addition, they have compiled several fact sheets on Allegheny County waivers.