Health care, insurance & government programs

Maneuvering through health care and insurance issues, and government programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security can be a dizzying process to say the least. To help, this list provides a good starting point in your search for more information and assistance.

Top government resources

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(877) 267-2323
www.cms.hhs.gov

DisabilityInfo.gov
(800) 333-4636
www.disabilityinfo.gov
The site offers a new state map feature, allowing users to search by state for disability-related resources, including Medicaid, Medicare, long-term care, applying for Social Security benefits and more. You also can subscribe to receive e-mail updates on information and resources in your state.

Insure Kids Now!
(877) 543-7669
www.insurekidsnow.gov
Find out about low-cost health insurance for children (birth to age 18) available in your state.

Internal Revenue Service
(800) 829-1040
www.irs.gov
For help in preparing tax returns, consult Publication 502 for guidance on medical and dental expenses, as well as impairment-related work expenses for people with disabilities.

Medicare
(800) 633-4227
www.medicare.gov
The handbook “Medicare and You” provides a look at Medicare benefits, what’s covered, health plans, rights and protections, and answers to frequently asked questions.

National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information
(202) 619-0724
www.longtermcare.gov
Information on long-term care planning, including services and financing options.

Social Security
(800) 772-1213
www.ssa.gov
Your gateway to information about Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance.

USA.gov
(800) 333-4636
www.usa.gov
Find information about disability-related benefits, health insurance and links to helpful resources.

Additional resources

AARP
(888) 687-2277
www.aarp.org
Provides information about Medicaid, Medicare, HIPAA and protecting your right to health insurance. AARP services are geared toward anyone age 50 or older, but information may be of use to all.

American Association on Health and Disability
(301) 545-6140
www.aahd.us
AAHD publishes a quarterly e-newsletter called Health and Disability News, featuring health and wellness initiatives for people with disabilities.

ARCH National Respite Network
(919) 490-5577
www.archrespite.org
Information on respite programs across the country.

BenefitsCheckUp
(202) 479-1200
www.benefitscheckup.org
A service of the National Council on Aging, the site helps people connect to government programs that can help them pay for prescription drugs, health care, utilities and other needs. If you have Medicare, start with “Medicare Rx Extra Help.”

Catalyst Center
(617) 426-4447, ext. 27
www.hdwg.org/catalyst/index.php
The center, which focuses on improving health care insurance and financing for children and youth with special health care needs, provides a health insurance and financing toolkit.

Center for Medicare Advocacy
(860) 456-7790
www.medicareadvocacy.org

GovBenefits.gov
(800) 333-4636
www.govbenefits.gov
Complete a brief, confidential online questionnaire, and the free site will provide a custom list of federal and state benefit programs.

Health Assistance Partnership
(202) 737-6340
www.healthassistancepartnership.org
HAP addresses the needs of the nation’s consumer health assistance programs, which serve Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries, privately insured consumers and the uninsured.

HealthDecisions.org
(202) 778-3291
www.healthdecisions.org
Users can locate disability-related health insurance plans via a state database. The site also offers information and resources about disability insurance, long-term care, Medicaid and Medicare, and more.

Insurance Information Institute
(212) 346-5500
www.iii.org
Locate consumer information for health insurance, long-term care policies and other disability-related information.

Kaiser Family Foundation
(202) 347-5270
www.kff.org
Find up-to-the-minute information about disability-related health care issues, including Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Medicare Rights Center
(202) 544-5561
www.medicarerights.org

MyMedicalRecords.com
(888) 808-4667
https://secure9.mymedicalrecords.com
Offers a secure online system that permanently stores medical records and other key personal information, including living wills, birth certificates and insurance policies.

National Health Law Program
(310) 204-6010
www.healthlaw.org
Provides a disability section with publications and links to other resources.

National Women’s Health Information Center
(800) 994-9662
www.womenshealth.gov

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
(888) 477-2669
www.pparx.org
Help paying for medications, for those who qualify.

RespiteMatch
(678) 884-0281
www.respitematch.com
Helps people who need home health care to connect with caregivers.

State Health Insurance Assistance
Program (SHIP)
www.shiptalk.org
The national program offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. You can locate a SHIP program by state, as well as a SHIP counselor in your area.

Books

Books may be ordered through your local library, bookstore or online.

101 Ways to the Best Medical Care, by Charlotte E. Thompson, M.D., Infinity Publishing, 2006.

Benefits Management for Working People with Disabilities: An Advocate’s Manual, by Edwin J. LopezSoto, Esq., and James R. Sheldon, Jr., Esq., Greater Upstate Law Project, 2002.

Health Insurance Resources: Options for People with a Chronic Disease or Disability, by Dorothy E. Northrop and Stephen Cooper, Demos Medical Publishing, 2007.

Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting & Keeping Your Benefits, by David A. Morton III, M.D., Nolo Press, 2006.

The Special Needs Planning Guide: How to Prepare for Every Stage of Your Child’s Life, by John W. Nadworny and Cynthia R. Haddad, Brookes Publishing, 2007.