As per law, medical professionals must offer full access to medical services without discrimination on the basis of disability. Understanding your rights can help you get the care you need.
People with disabilities face barriers in every aspect of their lives. Inadequate access to medical care is a significant obstacle. It can affect the physical and mental health of those with disabilities.
Barriers to medical careTrusted Source for those with disabilities include:
- inability to access medical facilities (lack of ramps, elevators, and automatic doors or hallways that cannot accommodate mobility aids)
- lack of specialized training or knowledge among medical professionals about different disabilities
- dismissal of symptoms due to not fully understanding disability-related health concerns
- ineffective, inadequate, or unclear communication with people who may be deaf or hard of hearing, or who have a speech, vision, or intellectual disability
- lack of patience or adaptability during medical interactions
- not scheduling sufficient time for the appointment
- inaccessible medical equipment (such as exam tables and diagnostic equipment)
- limited travel options to and from the medical facilities
- higher poverty rates among people with disabilities
- health barriers resulting in less favorable outcomes in those with disabilities
- These barriers can result in higher preventable health issues for people with disabilities than those without them. Reduced access to quality medical care can lead to secondary conditionsTrusted
Source such as:
- bowel or bladder issues
- fatigue
- pain
- injury
- depression
- overweight and obesity
- pressure sores and ulcers
To reduce barriers to medical care, the federal government has established laws for people with disabilities that guarantee their rights to full and accessible medical care.
This article reviews these laws and provides tips for getting the care you need at your next medical appointment.
Healthcare rights for people with disabilities
Federal Civil Rights laws guarantee full access to healthcare for people with disabilities. The primary federal laws that protect a person’s rights are included in the:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- Together, these laws require that public and private medical entities provide the following to people with disabilities:
Full and adequate access to healthcare services and facilities
Reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures when necessary to ensure accessibility to medical services
Effective communication, including auxiliary aids and services, such as providing sign language interpreters or written materials in alternative and accessible formats.
Public and private medical entities include doctors’ offices, clinics, dental offices, psychologists, nursing homes, pharmacies, hospitals, health plans, insurance companies, and government programs that pay for healthcare.
Understanding your rights
Here’s how these laws translate to the medical care you can expect (and deserve) to receive. Your healthcare professional:
- cannot deny you medical care or services due to inaccessible buildings, exam rooms, or equipment.
- should give you information in an accessible format (e.g., sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or materials in large print or braille)
- may offer certain services through virtual visits
- must allow a service animal into the waiting areas or exam rooms
- cannot refuse to serve you or make you wait longer because of your disability
- cannot require you to bring a friend, family member, or assistant to help with interpreting, or accessing medical equipment (they can come if they want to)
- cannot charge you extra fees for interpreters or braille transcription
- cannot deny you access to services covered under state-specific Medicaid waivers
- How to get the care you need at your next medical appointment
- Working closely with your healthcare professional before, during, and after your medical appointment can go a long way toward getting the medical care you need. Here are some practical recommendations.
When you call to schedule your appointment, let the receptionist know about your needs as a person with a disability and what accommodations you may require.