Health Insurance
Do I Need Health Insurance? YES!!! What Are My Options?
One of the major questions of parents of a child with a disability is... "What options are available for health insurance?" The best time to investigate these options is usually before a child turns 18-years of age.
Some options to consider are:
Parent's Insurance Some parental policies extend coverage of dependent disabled child of an employee up to a certain age, or indefinitely as long as the parent is employed. It is necessary to read the benefit booklet supplied by your company carefully. Proof of the handicap and dependency of the individual is usually required before the limiting age.
Employee Coverage Companies may or may not offer health benefits to a disabled employee, depending on the hours worked and benefit status. Their health benefits should be the same as non-disabled employees, with the same restrictions for pre-existing conditions.
Indiana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (ICHIA) (click on 'Guest' and then select Indiana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (ICHIA) from the dropdown menu on the next page). ICHIA was created by the Indiana Legislature to offer health insurance due to a medical condition. An individual must be a resident of Indiana, ineligible for Medicare or Medicaid, have applied for insurance and been rejected or quoted a premium that was higher than ICHIA's plan, and finally have no other form of health benefits. Call ICHIA at 800-552-7921 or click on the link, Become a Member, for more information.
Medicaid A federal and state funded medical assistance program that pays for approved, needed medical care for persons who meet specific eligibility requirements. Applied for in the office of Family and Children in the county you live in.
Health Savings Account Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were created by Public Law 108-173, the "Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003," signed into law by President Bush on December 8, 2003. Health Savings Accounts will change the way millions meet their health care needs because they are designed to help individuals save for qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-advantaged basis.
M. E. D. Works This program allows working individuals with disabilities with incomes too high for regular Medicaid to be eligible for health coverage. Members whose income is more than 150 percent of the federal poverty level will be charged a premium on a sliding-fee scale based on income. These individuals will receive the full-range of traditional Medicaid-covered services and will pay the same co-payments for certain services.
