Medicare and Other Laws and Programs Providing Health Insurance Coverage

Part 4, Chapter 13: Specialized Situations: Programs for Children and Adults with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs Page 8

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Medicare

Although people generally think of Medicare as a health insurance program for senior citizens, in some cases Medicare is also available to help meet the needs of people with disabilities.

For example, under certain conditions Medicare coverage may be available to individuals under age 65 who become disabled and are no longer able to work. Coverage may also be available to both children and adults who have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and require kidney dialysis treatments. In such cases, Medicare can be of enormous importance in providing coverage for the cost of medical care.

Other Laws and Programs

Although Medicaid and Medicare serve as essential sources of health insurance coverage for many people with disabilities, there are other laws that may offer help, as well. For example, some children and adults with spina bifida may qualify for benefits under the federal Spina Bifida-Agent Orange Benefits Act, passed in September of 1996. The act covers children and adults with certain types of spina bifida whose biological parents were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam conflict. The Spina Bifida-Agent Orange Benefits Act may provide for health care and rehabilitation for eligible individuals. The law is scheduled to become effective during the fall of 1997.

In addition, the federal Mental Health Parity Act, passed in September of 1996, offers help for individuals with mental illnesses who are covered by group health insurance plans. (See Chapter 4 for further information on federal and state parity laws).

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