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Note: Important definitions are listed at the end of this document.
The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
MDRS has several programs that may be funding sources for assistive technology:
The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind provide services designed to improve economic opportunities for individuals with physical and mental disabilities through employment. If one is a client in need of an assistive technology (AT) device in order to prepare for, engage in, or retain gainful employment, it is possible that purchasing AT or aiding in that purchase may become a part of their services.
Within the Department of Rehabilitation Services there are other programs for persons who do not necessarily demonstrate immediate potential for competitive employment. These are Independent Living Services, Independent Living Services for the Blind, and the Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund. The goal of these programs is to aid individuals to live independently at home. Assistive technology services may include home and vehicle modifications, durable medical equipment including assistive technology devices or other equipment and supplies that may be necessary for improved accessibility.
For information on services or for the location of offices throughout the state, call 601-853-5100 or 1-800-443-1000 (in state only) or visit the MDRS website: www.mdrs.state.ms.us
Medicare *
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers three classes of recipients:
- Persons age 65 or older
- Persons receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments (including many adults with developmental disabilities who receive SSDI on the earnings record of a parent)
- Persons with end stage renal disease
Medicare is divided into two parts, known as Part A and Part B. Medicare Part B, which is known as supplemental medical insurance and requires a monthly premium, is the part of Medicare that covers certain assistive technology under the categories of durable medical equipment or prosthetic devices. For information, call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) or go to website: www.medicare.gov , the Regional Medical Carrier for Region C, Palmetto Government Benefits Administrator, at 1-800-583-2236, www.palmettogba.com , or the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center at www.aac-rerc.com and link to the Medicare Information site.
Medicaid *
The Medicaid program is administered by the government of each state. States apply for and receive waiver funds from the federal government. Regulations for Medicaid services differ from state to state. The mission of the Division of Medicaid is to provide medical services to children, the aged, or disabled adults, all living below specified levels of poverty. These services include the purchase of some assistive technology devices under the durable medical equipment category. The Mississippi office of the Division of Medicaid's web site address is www.dom.state.ms.us Telephone numbers are 1-800-421-2408 or 1-601-359-6050.
Private Insurance *
The key to successfully utilizing your private insurance is to know your policy. Be familiar with the Benefits Booklet or Plan Description, whichever is used by your private insurance company.
Specific issues to address:
- Is the person needing the device the beneficiary on the policy?
- Is the specific item covered? (perhaps not by name but is there durable medical equipment or prosthetic coverage?)
- Is the item medically necessary?
- What are the limitations or exclusions of the policy?
- Private insurance companies usually rely on Medicare definitions of durable medical equipment in making determinations, but may also use Food and Drug Administration standards. For example, a wheelchair could meet their criteria for a by-pass device.
When applying for private insurance payment, do not use the term "assistive technology" when referring to the device you are seeking payment for. This term is too broad and not all assistive technology is durable medical equipment or a prosthetic.
Worker's Compensation
For questions about benefits available through Worker's Compensation as the result of a job-related injury, you may contact the Worker's Compensation office at 601-987-4266 or view their website at www.mwcc.state.ms.us
For questions about state policy or regulations of private insurance companies, contact the Mississippi Insurance Commission, Department of Insurance, State of Mississippi, P O Box 79, Jackson MS 39205, 601-359-3569 or 1-800-562-2957
Department of Veterans Affairs
Some assistive technology devices are provided to eligible veterans who are enrolled for health care in the V. A. system. Telephone numbers: 1-800-949-1009 or 1-601-362-4471. Website: www.visn16.med.va.gov
SSI PASS Plan
PASS (Plan for Achieving Self-Support) is administered by the Social Security Administration. It is a SSI provision to help individuals with disabilities return to work. PASS lets disabled individuals set aside money to pay for items or services needed to achieve a specific work goal. These items can include assistive technology such as wheelchairs or computers. For more information, go to the Social Security Administration website: www.ssa.gov/work , link to Beneficiaries, then link to Plans for Self-Support or call the Social Security Administration office at 1-800-772-1213.
*Most major vendors of speech generating devices will assist clients with the process of obtaining funding from third party source.
Important Definitions:
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device
A device of this type allows a person to speak by electronic means; it is typically a dedicated unit, used solely for producing speech, or a personal computer that uses special software to double as a communication device.
Medicare refers to AAC devices as SGDs (or Speech Generating Devices) For more info on SGDs go to: http://www.aac-rerc.com/pages/MCsite/medicare.asp and check out the Frequently Asked Questions section.
Assistive technology (AT)
Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of an individual with disabilities.
Durable medical equipment (DME)
DME is equipment that 1) can withstand repeated use; 2) is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose; 3) generally is not useful to an individual in the absence of illness or injury; and 4) is appropriate for use in the home.
Orthotic device
A device that assists a body to perform its task
Example: braces that help a person to walk on their own legs
Prosthetic device
A prosthesis is a device that "replaces all or part of an internal body organ."
Medicare policy expands on this definition to include devices that "replace all or part of the function of a permanently inoperative or malfunctioning external body member or internal body organ."
Example: a prosthetic limb that replaces a leg
By-pass device
A device that circumvents a disabled organ
Example: a wheelchair that by-passes the use of the legs
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