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Equal Access services
Purpose: To provide staff with basic information on the steps to identify individuals who need extra help (an accommodation) to access or maintain health care coverage resulting from any disability or learning or literacy issue.
Worker Responsibilities
If you know that a particular individual needs assistance, it is your ethical and legal responsibility to help the individual identify if they need Equal Access (EA) services and what services are needed (and to confirm if they still need EA services and what those EA services are).
- When department staff work with individuals identified as needing EA services, it is critical that the EA Plan be readily available and used to ensure the individual is able to fully access services and maintain eligibility.
- Continually be alert to cues that might indicate an individual is in need of EA services.
- Conduct an EA assessment and develop an EA Plan if one has not been done.
- Provide accommodations whenever appropriate.
Note: Most accommodations are easily provided when the need for accommodation is understood. Other service providers, such as DVR may be able to assist in providing accommodations when the individual is eligible for DVR services. In some cases, DVR may have adaptive devices that can be shared, such as access to a TRS for communication with persons with hearing impairments.
Screening
Apple Health Classic Medicaid Programs | MAGI-Based Apple Health Programs |
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MEDS/Community-Based Assistants document the need for an EA Plan and what accommodations are needed for the EA Plan as follows:
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When an individual applies for or receives Apple Health they are entitled to EA services whether they self-identify or agency staff identify the need. Staff should make EA determinations and take appropriate action on a case-by-case basis until the process can be automated in Healthplanfinder.
For policies on equal access for clients receiving LTSS see Equal Access - Necessary Supplemental Accommodation (NSA) and long-term services and supports.
If you have any questions, please contact HCA Regional Representative.
Aces Procedures
Equal Access (Accommodation) Resources: