1. Exceptional Lives
  2. Louisiana Guides
  3. How to Get the Most From Health Insurance
  4. Get the most from your health plan

Getting the disability services from your plan

Health insurance plans cover things like doctor's visits, medicines, and hospital stays.

But they also offer special services for people with disabilities. Once you have a healthcare plan, you may want to make sure your family member is getting all the helpful services they can.

The first step: Make sure your insurance company knows about your family member's disability.

Parent character Paula on the phone
Call the number on your family member's insurance card

Tell the insurance company about your family member's diagnosis

Ask if they need anything in writing to confirm the diagnosis, like a school evaluation or letter from a doctor

 

If you have private health insurance, you may also be able to Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana) as a secondary insurance.

  • Medicaid has excellent benefits for people with disabilities.

  • The income guidelines are different for people with disabilities

  • See the Medicaid section in the menu to learn more.

Click the box below to learn more:

Not all private insurance plans are the same.

Your family member may have a group plan offered through work or another organization, or a privately purchased plan.

Infographic shows Group Plan from an Employer: Since the 2010 Affordable Care Act, a group plan can no longer deny coverage or charge more money because of a pre-existing condition, like a disability. Privately Purchased Plan: Legally, the insurance company can still deny services related to a disability. But this is happening less and less. This kind of plan may be more expensive.


The rules about this are complex.
If you have specific questions about your insurance coverage and need help:

Parent character Paula on the phone

 

Call Health Care For All at 1-800-272-4232

Call the Autism Insurance Resource Center at 1-774-455-4056

         

 

Sources: Health Care for All, Autism Insurance Resource Center, U.S. Centers for Health and Human Services, Healthcare.gov