Our goals
What we are asking the healthcare system to change
These goals target the system-level causes of inaccessible care rather than individual providers. Most practices want to serve these patients well; the funding, training, and staffing structures around them have not made that possible.
Our goals
What we are asking the healthcare system to change
Fair and realistic reimbursement
Review Medicaid and insurance fee schedules so reimbursement reflects extended appointment time, additional staff, pre-visit planning, caregiver coordination, specialized training, sensory accommodations, adaptive equipment, and clinically necessary sedation or hospital care.
More participating providers
Create incentives for additional medical and dental providers to accept Medicaid and serve patients with developmental disabilities and complex support needs.
Training throughout healthcare
Expand disability-responsive education in medical schools, dental schools, residency programs, continuing education, hospitals, community clinics, and private practices.
Funding for accommodations
Provide grants or reimbursement pathways for sensory equipment, communication materials, wheelchair-accessible treatment equipment, quiet spaces, desensitization visits, and other reasonable accommodations.
Transparent provider directories
Maintain accurate directories showing which practices are accepting patients, which ages they serve, which insurance plans they accept, and which accommodations they provide.
Care should be accessible before a condition becomes an emergency.
Share an experience, locate a resource, or help bring these barriers to the attention of the people who can change them.