Eligibility

MIGs have a vital role to play helping to inform and educate disability and employment stakeholders about the impact of reform on working people with disabilities. This brief is designed to help MIGs in that role. It explains the new law’s expected impact on Medicaid eligibility for people with disabilities, and explores the potential new Medicaid enrollment dynamics that MIGs need to consider as health care reform is implemented.

An expert explores patterns in services and spending under long-term care programs and examines the rise in HCBS, the existence of waivers from federal and state coverage requirements, and the changing populations who use long-term care services. He concludes with a discussion on the need to reduce the fragmentation and lack of coordination in LTC services by removing the divide between Medicare and Medicaid programs. Listen to the recorded webinar and find Mr. Ng’s published paper.

What are states doing to help teachers whose job is to prepare youth with disabilities for a fulfilling work life? The attached presentation was given to students in the Brigham Young University Special Education Department. It addresses myths and truths about employment and people with disabilities. It also provides policy information, job seeker guides, tips for teens, eSkills and resources. This approach could be helpful to other states with MIG grants.

How is Utah training Vocational Rehabilitation and On-the-Job Training Specialists? The attached presentations were created by The Employer Relations Specialist for Utah’s State Office of Rehabilitation to address employer relations, successful job development, business and vocational rehabilitation relationships and essential skills for finding and keeping a job. These presentations contain information and resources that could be useful to other MIG grantees interested in training ideas.

Dispelling myths about employment is key to getting consumers involved in MIG programs. Utah created a presentation which focuses on ”busting” these myths as a way of educating consumers about work incentives. By addressing concerns over loss of social security or feelings that finding job training and employment may be unrealistic, Utah hopes to get the facts about their programs to the people who benefit from them most. It’s an approach that other states could find beneficial.

Turning the many acronyms that make up the landscape of MIG programs into something youth with disabilities and their families can understand and utilize is essential in effecting successful transitions from school to employment. Utah created the attached presentation for a workshop designed to break down these acronyms into meaningful opportunities. This playful approach is something that other MIG grantees could find useful.

Understanding the myriad of rules governing SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare & related work incentives for people with disabilities is essential in creating successful MIG programs. One tool the state of Virginia is using is a true/false test given to trainees at the beginning, and again at the end of a two day training session. A sample of the test is attached, along with the training agenda and table of contents for the manual used in the training.

Knowledge is key to making work incentive programs successful. With this in mind, the state of Washington created training curricula for those completing WIPA or the state sponsored Ben Plan Academy. The attached presentations outline, in detail, state specific Medicaid work incentives, and include links to additional resources. This training material could be helpful to other states looking for an effective training approach, or sample training materials.

Why is understanding benefits and work incentives important? In the attached presentation, Washington outlines its benefit and work incentive Tier II training. Highlighting the significance of what their MIG program has to offer, and how this can improve employment and economic outcomes, this presentation could serve as a guide to those interested in Washington’s MIG program, as well as an example to other states.

How is Wyoming marketing their Medicaid Buy-In Program? The Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) program is Wyoming’s MIG program. To effectively market the program, the attached brochure outlines the program, qualifications, benefits, eligibility and cost to the individual. This example could be useful to other states seeking to start a MIG program as well.