Getting Information on Dealing with Disabilities and Health Insurance

Appendix B: Sources of Information and Advice on Specific Health Insurance Problems Page 3

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Disabilities

The following booklets are available from The Arc, a national organization on mental retardation

• "Appealing a Social Security Disability Benefits Decision" (Booklet 101-44);
• "Social Security and SSI Benefits for Children with Dis abilities" (Booklet 101-36).

For current prices and for further information, write to Publications, The Arc, National Headquarters, P.O. Box 1047, Arlington, TX 76004 (Telephone: 1-817-261-6003; TTY: 1-817- 277-0553).

The EPSDT Handbook, a technical manual that describes the program rules for the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program, is available from the National Health Law Program for $30 (Telephone: 1-310-204-6010).

Exceptional Parent Magazine, a monthly magazine devoted to the needs of parents of children with disabilities, can be ordered by calling 1-800-247-8080.

The following organizations offer help and advice with specific problems related to Medicaid and disability issues

• Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law deals with legal is sues related to mental health (Telephone: 1-202-467-5730);
• Children's Defense Fund deals with legal issues related to children with disabilities (In the New York area, call 1-212- 233-4000; outside New York, call 1-202-628-8787);
• Disability Law Centers deal with disability-related legal and health insurance issues (In New York City, contact Disability Law Center at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, 1-212-727-2270; outside New York, contact the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, 1-800-466-4232);
• Legal Services deals with legal issues related to health insurance problems involving children or adults who have limited economic resources (Call the National Legal Aid and Defender Association at 1-202-452-0620 or the local Bar Association for the telephone number of the nearest office);
• Protection and Advocacy Service deals with Medicaid problems related to children with disabilities (Call the local Bar Association for the number of the nearest office).

The Disabled Children's Relief Fund provides grants to help purchase medical equipment for children with disabilities (Write to Disabled Children's Relief Fund, 402 Pennsylvania Aye, Freeport, NY 11520, or call 1-516-377-1605; Fax: 1-516-377-3978).

Telephone Pioneers helps with disability-related engineering projects and modifications (Telephone: 1-303-571-9270). Tech Act programs provide information on used medical equipment (Call RESNA -- the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America -- for information on state Tech Act programs; telephone: 1-703-524- 6686).

For information on the "Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Program" write to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, 1100 Fifteenth Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20005. Ask for a free copy of the "1997 Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs."

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