The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 eliminates the option for health insurance companies to deny coverage for a preexisting condition

Until the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), the only health care coverage available to persons with disabilities was Medicare or Medicaid. For persons with disabilities who have a limited work history, unless they became disabled before age 22 and later qualified for Medicare upon the worker parent’s retirement, disability or death, Medicaid has been the only available source of health care coverage.

Consequently, the ACA eliminates the option for health insurance companies to deny coverage for a preexisting condition. Therefore, the new health insurance provides options for people with disabilities. Since September 23, 2010, health insurance companies cannot deny coverage to children, under 19, who have a preexisting condition.

Additionally, a disabled child, who receives a personal injury settlement, may not  have to plan Medicaid eligibility, by transferring the recovery to a special needs trust. Parents who have employer covered health insurance can add a disabled child to their coverage. Also, the disabled child, up to age 26, can be a dependent on the parent’s health plan.