Healthcare costs pose a barrier to healthcare for many people, especially for those who have a disability. Disabled individuals need more medication, inpatient, and outpatient appointments. Their average health related expenditures are 5 to 6 times higher, with prescription expenditures 7 times higher, including those with intellectual and developmental disability (1). Having access to affordable and comprehensive health insurance is a vital priority for this population.
Medicare vs Medicaid
Disabled individuals have access to two types of public health insurance: Medicare or Medicaid.
Medicare vs Medicaid
Disabled individuals have access to two types of public health insurance: Medicare or Medicaid.
Medicare
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Medicaid
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DatA on disability Insurance Coverage
Following full implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2014, public insurance rates have increased greatly in disability groups.
Failing to Provide for Disabled adults
In many states some degree of insurance coverage is mandated by law for children with any condition listed in the DSM. However, adults (cutoffs around 18 or 21) are merely eligible for healthcare; there is no security. Eligibility, unlike entitlements, does not guarantee access or enrollments into services or programs. |
Sources
(1) Kennedy, J., Wood, E. G., & Frieden, L. (2017). Disparities in Insurance Coverage, Health Services Use, and Access Following Implementation of the Affordable Care Act: A Comparison of Disabled and Nondisabled Working-Age Adults. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 54, 0046958017734031. https://doi.org/10.1177/0046958017734031
(2) Houtenville, A., & Rafal, M. (2020). Annual Report on People with Disabilities in America: 2020. University of New Hampshire, Institute on Disability.
(2) Houtenville, A., & Rafal, M. (2020). Annual Report on People with Disabilities in America: 2020. University of New Hampshire, Institute on Disability.