Guide to Disability
In this era of inflation, people with disabilities have an even higher annual cost of living than non-disabled individuals. A recent study showed that this amounts to $5,341 in extra expenses annually. Health-related expenses can be a large part of that. Health insurance makes it possible for disabled people to access essential coverage for things like rehabilitation care and mental health. High-cost medical equipment like prosthetics and wheelchairs are made possible for Americans thanks to the essential health benefits covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Understanding what coverage a person with a disability needs is also important so that they can access supports like Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).
Your work supporting health insurance enrollment every year is an essential service for the disability community. This ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment will be open from November 1st through January 15, 2027. This is an important year to make sure people can navigate the new work requirements under Medicaid and understand their options for affordable coverage in the Marketplace. As you refresh on what’s new this coverage year, make sure to also review our Guide to Disability for Health Insurance Marketplace Navigators.
The National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC) developed this resource to support enrollment assisters in preparing to provide inclusive, competent support to all persons with disabilities. This guide builds on the information offered in the HHS training on Working with Individuals with Disabilities. Whether you need communication tips or an overview of common accommodations, this guide will help you prepare to offer inclusive assistance. You’ll also learn essential basics like disability etiquette and literacy. You’ll get answers to these questions:
- Who are people with disabilities?
- What problems and barriers have people with disabilities historically encountered obtaining healthcare insurance?
- How do disability rights laws affect the operation of the Marketplace?
- How is disability defined?
- What disability questions appear on the streamlined application for health insurance or Medicaid submitted through the Marketplace?
- Why is understanding disability important?
- What is disability literacy?
- What is disability etiquette?
- What is physical accessibility?
- How can effective communication with people with disabilities be ensured?
- How can Navigators assist people with disabilities evaluate the adequacy of provider networks within specific plans?
- How can Navigators assist people with disabilities evaluate the adequacy of Essential Health Benefits (EHBs)?
- How is Medicaid eligibility being determined for people with disabilities?
- What types of accommodations should Navigators know about?
For a quick review of Enrollment Assistance Prep steps, check out our recent newsletter.
The NDNRC Newsletter is published weekly. Archives of our weekly updates are available on the NDNRC website. This newsletter is supported by the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD). Sign up to become an AAHD member today to support ongoing projects like this.