Help Children With Disabilities

A social welfare health and medical services program initiated by the government, Medicaid is intended to provide security and financial assistance to individuals and families in the lower-income bracket during health and medical emergencies. Millions of elderly individuals and families find Medicaid benefits to be such a relief in times of need and uncertainty. Even non-elderly individuals, both employed and unemployed, could still count on the assistance from Medicaid benefits. Although Medicaid is predominantly initiated by national government, the management and implementation of benefits availment is under the jurisdiction of state governments. Different states may wish to add implementing rules and regulations to the standard ones mandated by federal institutions.

What makes Medicaid an even better news is that it does not exempt people with disability from reaping the benefits of this insurance and financial assistance. Even other insurance programs that are supposedly tagged to be specific for disabled individuals and their families seem to have a narrower scope of specific disabilities that will be covered. Even Social Security disability benefits have been elusive of some disabled people. Fortunately, those who have been denied from availing these Social Security disability benefits could already count on the opportunity to take advantage of Medicaid benefits for people with disabilities. Important requirements to be eligible to receive Medicaid benefits include residency, immigration status and proof of US citizenship.

However, one should also bear in mind that Medicaid is not simply a dole-out charity program. Governments have strictly highlighted that families or individuals who could no longer rely on personal assets will priority recipients for Medicaid benefits. Implementing and monitoring institutions will strictly do background check on Medicaid applications to ensure that there will no fraud in the transactions. It has been noted that some Medicaid applicants have resorted to transferring their personal assets to the name of other individuals to establish or ascertain their economic status or income level. In fact, applicants who still have properties that could be passed on to their next generations will most likely be denied from Medicaid benefits. Low income and very limited assets are the top requirements for Medicaid availment.

Likewise, Medicaid disability benefits will not automatically be handed to you in a silver platter. Medicaid programs, facilities and services could vary from one state to another. Thus, it would be best to research what facilities and services are being made available by Medicaid in your state. The services you need may not be the ones offered or the ones available may not fit your need. Some facilities also choose not to accept Medicaid for payments for certain issues that have not been disclosed to the public.

Nevertheless, the Medicaid disability benefits program features several advantages that are standard across all states. Medicaid covers long-term care services both at home or at accredited nursing facilities. Unfortunately, home-care services have minimal coverage only in some states. You will no longer need to shell out your hard-earned money to avail of health and medical services. Yet, every program or initiative is not free from disadvantages and drawbacks. You can only use your Medicaid disability benefits with accredited providers, facilities and professionals. This may pose a problem if you have already maintained regular consultations with a medical specialist who is not accredited by Medicaid. The continuity of providing medical assistance and the consistency of the quality of care may be significantly compromised.

Financial experts always emphasize that financial stability goes beyond making your finances grow. To be financially smart, one should also invest in his or her future. You should also invest in protection for whatever you have - your house, your car and, most specially, your life. One aspect that is often overlooked in insurance is one's earning power. It is for this reason that disability insurance is considered to be a good buy even by the most skeptical consumer. Even if your company provides you with a certain disability coverage, it is too risky to assume a false sense of security. You will most likely find a crowd of disability insurance providers and agents offering you their policies. Here is a rundown of tips to help you find your way through different policies and get yourself the best disability insurance coverage you truly deserve.

1. 1
   Get a policy for 'own occupation'

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   This type of policy ensures that the coverage will protect you during those times you will no longer be able to perform or function at your current job. On the other hand, an 'any occupation' type of disability can only provide you with coverage when you do not have any job at all. If you land in any job, even if it is a case of underemployment, an 'any occupation' policy will not have you covered even with a single cent.

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2. 2
   Get a policy that offers coverage until you reach the age of 65

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   In most states, retirement benefits are provided when an individual reaches the age of 65. Some insurance policies only offer coverage of up to five or ten years after the date of signing up for the policy. If there is a long gap between the end of your disability insurance policy coverage and your eligibility for retirement benefits, it would mean that you will not be receiving financial assistance for those years. Insurance policies with five or ten-year coverage may have lower premium rates but may even be more expensive in the long run. Disability insurance policies with more years of coverage may seem more costly upfront but may be more practical and cost-efficient in a long-term perspective.

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3. 3
   Be prepared to wait until you start availing of your disability insurance benefits

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   Make sure you can financially endure the long haul. An emergency fund will surely be helpful during these situations. The lack of an emergency fund or a contingency plan to sustain your expenses when you are off from work might lure you into debts.

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4. 4
   Decide how much benefits you want

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   The premiums you have to pay are computed based on how much benefits you would want to receive in the future. Some policies offer coverage that would equal to around 60% of your gross income. However, be careful about choosing a policy coverage with premium rates that may be too high for you to maintain.

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5. 5
   Check your occupational class

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   Certain occupational classes such as contractors and seafarers face greater risks and threats than others like managers and office-based workers. You have to bear in mind that your insurance policy provider will also calculate your premium rates based on your occupational class. If you belong to high-risk professions, you may be required to pay higher premium rates. Likewise, self-employed and work-at-home professions also signal greater risk to the insurance policy provider because of the difficulty in verifying income.

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Regardless of the profession you belong to, having supplemental disability insurance will surely be a lifesaver during the rainy days. Disability insurance serves as a protection for your earned income when certain disabilities disable you from fulfilling your work responsibilities. When the core functions of your work are already compromised due to the disability, you will surely appreciate having supplemental disability insurance within your reach. Disabilities can be brought about by psychological problems, illnesses or injuries. By availing of supplemental disability insurance, you will be receiving periodic payments of benefits during a specified period of time. In most instances, coverage of supplemental disability insurance policies could range from 40% to 65% of your gross income.

Nevertheless, specific coverage may vary from one policy to another. Computation of premium rates that should be paid by an applicant for supplemental disability is also based on several factors such as occupational classification. In addition, choosing a supplemental disability insurance to get for yourself is not as easy as it sounds to be because there are different types of disability insurance offered by a crowd of policy providers. Here are tidbits of what makes each type different from the others.

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   Individual disability insurance

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   Individuals who are self-employed or who work at home are usually denied of their typical disability insurance because of the difficulty in verifying their income. If you want a wider coverage that will encompass a broader category of circumstances, your policy may come with high premium rates. Aside from the scope of the coverage, your specific work, the risk involved and your place of residence will also be considered in computing your insurance policy's premium rate.

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2. 2
   Business overhead disability insurance

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   This specific type of policy is most highly recommended for businessmen and entrepreneurs. This policy will cover overhead expenses of the business when the owner suffers from any type of disability. Disability of the owner could certainly take its toll on the business finances. With business overhead disability insurance, rent or mortgage costs, maintenance fees and even salaries and wages could still be taken care of.

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3. 3
   Key-person disability insurance

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   You may not own the business but you hold a critical position or role in it. Thus, your absence could have a significant impact on the company you are working for. This could be a major headache for the business owner, your boss. This type of insurance helps ensure the continuity of business transactions even in the absence of a key official in the business. Thus, the risk for losses due to hampering of business operations is minimized.

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4. 4
   High-limit disability insurance

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   Regardless of your income bracket, you can still enjoy individual disability benefits at 65% by availing of high-limit disability insurance. This specific insurance policy is still offered on top of the individual's disability insurance policy.

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5. 5
   Employer-supplied disability insurance

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   A benefit provided by employers to their employees, this specific type of policy aims to provide insurance in cases of on-the-job injuries and job-related disabilities. This may or may not be part of an employee's standard compensation package. Likewise, the coverage is only valid throughout the employment of the individual with the particular company.

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6. 6
   National social insurance programs

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   This government-provided insurance coverage is intended to provide financial assistance for the citizens during times of uncertainties and financial instability. Through these government-funded programs, no citizen of these particular countries could claim to be empty-handed.

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• Make sure your child has a healthy diet of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
• Have them get plenty of sleep for learning.
• Love your child and support them with their challenges they face.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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