Hazleton Area School District

What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know about Medical Assistance for Their Child with Special Needs:

Pennsylvania is one of the only states in the nation that offers special health insurance to children with disabilities.  The insurance is made possible through Medical Assistance (MA).  Medical Assistance for Children with Disabilities is also an important funding source for Early Intervention.  It helps the Early Intervetion Preschool Program provide services to eligible children.

Participation is voluntary.  There is no cost to the family.  The child's diagnosis, not the parent's income, determines the child's eligibility.

The State of Pennsylvania developed this insurance in 1992 because:

            -    Regular insurance plans have limits or ceilings; this one does not.

            -    Having medical expenses covered makes it easier for families to make important health related decisions for their children with disabilities.

            -    Eligible children will have health care coverage even if their families do not.

               -   Coverage for co-pays for office visits, prescriptions, and specialists.

            -    Reimbursement for diapers after the eligible child turns 3 years of age.

            -    Help with paying for glasses, hearing aids, assistive technology devices, and dental.

            -    Coverage for other services not covered by private insurance policies.

               -    A child will be covered for services that private insurance may not cover.

            -    The primary insurance is still the child's first coverage.

            -    MA kicks in as secondary insurance for the eligible child.

            -    There is no effect on the primary insurance benefits.

            -    If a family does not have insurance or loses its insurance, an eligible child will be covered.