|
Wise use of health care services is the same for people with disabilities as it is for everyone. Having a disability is not the same as sickness and should not be confused with an automatic need for intensive health, medical, or nursing care. Medical treatment is recommended according to individual need and should not differ from common approaches to providing medical care [1].
However, it is recognized that people with disabilities can be at increased risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions, and may require health and related services of a type or amount beyond what is required for the general population. Access to a quality practitioner that provides the best possible care, with a family-driven approach to service, is essential to supporting people with disabilities in the community. Unnecessary medicalization of disability and unfamiliarity of community resources can be barriers to receiving good care and may keep people with disabilities from reaching their full potential.
In a health care setting accessibility means:
- taking action to help people understand their health options,
- making sure that approaches and equipment are appropriate for that person,
- approving services that will help people maintain independence [2].
Maryland Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics – Maryland Chapter
This site includes educational information for patients and caregivers.
Baltimore HealthCare Access
Phone: 410-649-0521 x 3007
No cost-information, resources, and services that families, providers, policy-makers and advocates can use to access HealthChoice (Maryland's Medical Managed Care Program; Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP); Navigating managed care organizations (MCOs) and Resources for children with special health care needs, the uninsured, and other special needs populations.
Central Maryland Rehabilitation Center
Phone: (410) 312-9000
A program of Howard County General Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical System, services include: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and custom bracing.
The Community and Public Health Administration
Phone: (410) 767-5300
Provides direct care services such as Woman, Infants and Children (WIC) and children's medical services, community and public health administrative services, disease control and prevention as well as local health department information.
Children's Medical Services
Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Phone: (800) 456-8900, (800) 638-8864, or (410) 767-6749
The Coordinating Center
Baltimore Phone: (410) 987-1048
Washington Phone: (301) 621-7830
The Coordinating Center provides care management for the Maryland Medicaid Model Waiver program (which provides a way to fund specialized services that children with complex medical needs must have in order to be fully included at home and in their communities), Rare and Expensive Care Management program (REM), CHAMPUS, private managed cared organizations and Maryland's Infant and Toddler program. They also provide training and consultation, managed care education, medical legal supports and life care planning to assist families in all aspects of special health care needs and disabilities.
The Delrey School
Phone: (410) 744-3151
Fax: (410) 744-8467
Email: delrey@bcpl.net
On site resources include: medical consultants, nurse, mobile dentist, orthotist, carpenter, seamstress, equipment loan services, and connections to the UCP Association.
Family Voices
This project of the Parents’ Place of Maryland is a statewide grassroots network of families and friends speaking on behalf of children and youth with special health care needs and providing support, advocacy, information and resources about health care systems and related resources in Maryland.
A Friend of the Family
Phone: (443) 394-0214
An early intervention service for families of children birth-5 years old. Provides evaluation, referral, training and resource services.
Health Choice
E-mail: healthchoice@dhmh.state.md.us.
The Health Choice program is Maryland's statewide Managed Care Program for low- income citizens, and is a part of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Information is provided on program benefits, eligibility requirements and application procedures.
Kayes Pharmacy
Phone: (410) 665-5192
Kayes is a local pharmacy that specializes in working with families for their unique medication needs. Kayes will work with you to prepare medicine in unique dosages and formats (such as liquids, spray, gummy bears, or lollipops) or re-flavoring unpleasant tasting medications.
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Referral Line: (888) 554-2080
The Kennedy Krieger Institute provides services for children with special health care needs.
The Maryland Department of Human Resources
Phone: (800) 332-6347
TTY: (410) 767-7025
The Maryland Department of Human Resources provides information on temporary economic assistance and protection services for vulnerable children and adults.
Maryland General Bryn Mawr Rehab Regional Network
An Affiliate of University of Maryland System
Phone: (410) 462-5756
Free Child Development Screenings by pediatric specialists to evaluate your child's functional levels and provide a recommended plan to follow.
The Maryland Insurance Administration
To file health insurance complaints
Phone: (800) 492-6116
(410) 468-2000
TTY: (800) 735-2258
Medicaid Fact Sheets Available
The National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI), together with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has produced a series of one-page, state -specific fact sheets about the issue of children and Medicaid. The fact sheets are written in simple; easy to understand language, and focus on why Medicaid is important to the health of so many of America's children. All 51 fact sheets are now available by clicking on the link above, however, you must have Acrobat Reader, as they are in PDF format.
The Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital Services include evaluation and testing, diagnosis, family conferencing, education, treatment, consultation with schools and physicians, and follow-up services.
Local Departments of Social Services:
Allegany (301) 784-7000
Anne Arundel (410) 269-4500; TDD: (410) 269-4512
Baltimore City (410) 361-4700
Baltimore County (410) 887-2520 TDD: (410) 887-2314
Calvert County (410) 535-8700
Caroline County (410) 479-5900
Carroll County (410) 386-3300 TDD: (410) 876-7111
Cecil County (410) 996-0100
Charles County (301) 934-2700 TDD: (301) 934-8901
Garrett County (301) 334-8111
Harford County (410) 836-3067 TDD: (410) 879-4500
Montgomery County (240) 777-1245
Prince George's County (301) 209-5000 TDD:(301) 209-5068
St Mary's County (301) 475-4700
Somerset County (410) 651-0311; TDD: (410) 651-0311
Queen Anne's County (410) 758-5100 TDD: (410) 758-5164
Talbot County (410) 822-1617
Washington County (301) 791-4030
Wicomico County (410) 543-6900 TDD: (410) 543-6682
Worcester County (410) 632-2705 TDD: (410) 632-2705
MD County Health Departments
Allegany: (310) 777-5800
Anne Arundel: (410) 222-7095
Baltimore City: (410) 396-4387
Baltimore: (410) 887-2702
Calvert: (410) 535-5400
Caroline: (410) 479-0556
Carroll: (410) 876-2152
Cecil: (410) 996-5550
Charles: (301) 934-9577
Dorchester: (410) 228-3223
Fredrick: (301) 694-1029
Garrett: (301) 334-8111
Harford: (410) 838-3047
Howard: (410) 313-6363
Kent: (410) 778-1350
Montgomery: (240) 777-1245
Prince George's: (301) 883-7634
Queen Anne's: (410) 758-0720
St. Mary's: (301) 475-4330
Somerset: (410) 651-5600
Talbot: (410) 822-0330
Washington County: (301) 791-3200
Wicomico County: (410) 543-6930
Worcester County: (410) 632-1100
WIC
Hotline: (800) 242-4WIC
Maryland Women's Infants and Children Program (WIC) is a federally funded program that provides pregnant woman, new mothers and infants and children under the age of five with supplemental food and nutrition counseling.
National Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics Website provides a variety of information to families on the care of infants and children. Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics: 410-828-9526.
Brave Kids
Resources and networking opportunities to help children with chronic, life-threatening illnesses or disabilities. Nationwide directory for health care resources.
Care of Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities (PDF)
Care of Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities is designed to assist and optimize communication between lay people and professionals.
Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services provides information on disability and managed care.
Family Doctor - American Academy of Physicians
Fact sheets on more than 500 health related issues.
The Health Care Financing Administration
The Health Care Financing Administration administers Medicare, Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIPS).
MCARE
Phone: (603) 862-4320
MCARE is the National Clearinghouse on Managed Care and Long-Term Supports and Services for People with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families. The MCARE website seeks to provide the most current information available on managed care, long-term services and supports, self-determination, and other related areas. MCARE will provide the latest news articles, upcoming conferences and events, government documents, research and policy papers, and individual perspectives.
Medical Home Initiatives for Children with Special Health Care Needs
Provides support to physicians, families and medical providers and non-medical providers who care for children with special needs so that they have access to medical care at home.
Ten Year Action Plan to Achieve Community-Based Systems of Care for Children with Special Needs
http://cshcnleaders.ichp.edu/2010ExpressStatePlans/StatePlan_Maryland.pdf
Produced through collaboration between Family Voices, the maternal and Child Health Bureau, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the March of Dimes, this new initiative: "The 2020 Express" presents a blueprint for organizing, financing, and delivering services for children with special health care needs.
Navigating Medicare and Medicaid: Resource Guides for People with Disabilities, Their Families, and Their Advocates
State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
SCHIP provides affordable health insurance to children and youth
in working families. To obtain information about the free and affordable
coverage available in your state, you can call a toll-free hotline
1-877-KIDS NOW. This number will connect parents of potentially eligible children
directly with people in their state who can assist them in enrolling in
the state children's health insurance programs. Please note,the program may
be called something other than SCHIP in your state.
VISION USA
Routine eye care for low-income families. Provides basic eye health and vision care services free of charge. Eligibility requirements:
- Have a job or live in a household where there is one working member
- Have no vision insurance
- Have income below an established level based on household size, and
- Not have had an eye exam within 2 years.
Maryland residents who wish to apply for the program may complete an on-line application by clicking on the link above or contact the Maryland State Coordinator: Jeanette Bonsack at 410-836-7010.
[1] National Guideline Clearinghouse. The National Guideline Clearinghouse provides information in all areas of healthcare.
[2] Best & Promising Practices: Supporting people with developmental disabilities in their communities. (1996) Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. |
