Medical practitioners are required by law to provide complete access to medical services without discriminating on the basis of disability. You can receive the treatment you require if you are aware of your rights.
In every area of their lives, people with disabilities encounter obstacles. One major barrier is unequal or insufficient access to medical care. It can have an impact on people with disabilities’ mental and physical health.
Obstacles to receiving medical care Among the reliable sources for people with disabilities are:
- incapacity to enter medical facilities (absence of automatic doors, elevators, ramps, or corridors that are inaccessible to mobility aids)
- medical professionals’ lack of specific training or understanding about certain disabilities
- dismissal of symptoms because disability-related health issues are not fully understood
- ineffective, insufficient, or ambiguous communication with individuals who have a speech, vision, or intellectual disability, or who may be deaf or hard of hearing
- lack of tolerance or flexibility while interacting with medical professionals
- inaccessible medical equipment (such as exam tables and diagnostic equipment) and failing to schedule enough time for the visit
- restrictions on how to go to and from the medical facilities
- greater incidence of poverty among individuals with disabilities
- health disparities that cause people with disabilities to have less favorable outcomes
Persons with disabilities may have more avoidable health problems as a result of these restrictions than persons without impairments. Secondary conditions like the following can result from limited access to high-quality medical care:
- bowel or bladder issues
- fatigue
- injury
- pain
- depression
- overweight and obesity
- pressure sores and ulcers
The federal government has created regulations for individuals with disabilities that ensure their rights to equitable and accessible medical care in an effort to lower barriers to care.
This article discusses these laws and provides recommendations for getting the care you need at your next medical checkup.
Healthcare rights for people with disabilities
People with disabilities are guaranteed full and equal access to healthcare under federal civil rights laws. The following are the main federal statutes that safeguard an individual’s rights:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
When combined, these regulations mandate that both public and private healthcare organizations offer individuals with disabilities the following services:
- Complete and equitable access to medical facilities and services
- Reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures when necessary to ensure accessibility to medical services
- Auxiliary tools and services, such as sign language interpreters or written documents in accessible and alternative forms, are essential for effective communication.
Doctor’s offices, clinics, dental offices, psychologists, assisted living facilities, pharmacies, hospitals, health plans, insurance firms, and government programs that cover medical expenses are examples of both public and private medical enterprises.
How to get the care you need at your next medical appointment
Getting the medical care you require can be greatly aided by close collaboration with your healthcare provider prior to, during, and following your visit. Here are some doable suggestions.
Scheduling your appointment
Tell the receptionist about your needs as a person with a disability and any adjustments you might need when you call to make an appointment.
To help you and your doctor get ready for your appointment, here are some questions to ask.
Appointment preparation
It’s quite beneficial to get ready for your appointment beforehand. The following advice on pre-appointment preparation may be useful:
Medical appointment prep work
- Any health-related queries or worries you would like to discuss with your physician should be put in writing.
- To give to your doctor, compile your medical and family history into a folder.
- Bring a list of all the prescriptions you are taking (together with their dosage), your insurance card, and the contact details for your preferred pharmacy.
- Ask a friend or family member to take notes with you, or bring a notebook or recording device.
- Examine your itinerary. Ensure that you are allowing adequate time to arrive at your appointment.
During your appointment
Nothing will always go as planned, no matter how well you prepare.
The bus you were expecting may be packed or arrive late if you are using public transportation. Alternatively, the receptionist you spoke with during the appointment process failed to note your needs as a disabled person.
When unforeseen issues come up, calm down, take a deep breath, and never forget to speak up for yourself. On the day of your appointment, bear the following useful advice in mind.
Finding a disability-friendly medical professional
Certain disabilities are not well understood by all medical professionals. Use online directories, advocacy groups, and patient reviews or referrals to locate a healthcare provider with experience in treating individuals with disabilities comparable to yours.
Look for professionals who:
- possess expertise in caring for people with disabilities, work in easily accessible medical facilities that offer additional accommodations as needed, and show empathy, patience, and understanding when providing care for you.
What to do if you experience difficulties during a medical appointment
Try speaking with your doctor or other healthcare professionals directly if you have problems during a medical appointment, such as being asked to wait for a long period of time or being informed that the accommodations you requested before your appointment are not available.
Here are some actions you could do.
How to handle obstacles at your medical appointment
- Communicate clearly and directly: Describe your needs and any accommodations you require, such as a communication aid or an assessment table that is accessible.
- Document the issue: Note the issue’s type, date, time, and reason for not being fixed.
- Contact the facility’s ADA coordinator: Ask for help from the ADA coordinator if there is one at the hospital you are visiting.
- Reach out to a disability rights organization: You can get in touch with a disability rights group, such the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), at 1-800-840-8844, if the establishment does not have an ADA coordinator. They can point you in the direction of an ADA advocate or offer solutions.
FAQs
Can I bring my service animal with me to my medical appointment?
Yes. A service animal may go with a person with a handicap to places including clinics, waiting rooms, cafeterias, and exam rooms under the ADA, Section 504, Section 1557, and state law.
However, in places where the environment’s sterility can be jeopardized, like an operating room or a burn unit, service animals might not be allowed.
I am deaf, what services are available to me in a medical setting?
Public and commercial healthcare providers are required by the ADA and Section 1557 of the ACA to use auxiliary aids and services to effectively communicate with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Equipment or services like these are examples of auxiliary aids and services:
- qualified sign-language interpreters
- note takers
- closed caption decoders
- television decoders
- assistive listening devices
- real-time captioning
- written materials
What are some examples of disability-related discrimination that might violate equality laws?
Examples of discrimination might include:
- asking you to bring someone to a doctor’s office to assist with lifting, understanding, or interpreting (unless they have decided to do so) and making you wait longer for an exam since there is only one disability-accessible room.
- denying you medical care since the examination will take longer than expected because of your impairment
- charging more for a communication assistant, such as a sign language interpreter, and limiting the times or dates of appointments because of your impairment
- refusing to give adequate communication support such as a person’s files in an alternate format or a sign-language interpreter
- refusing to administer a desired therapy because of presumptions about quality of life. For instance, denying cancer treatment to a child with a severe intellectual handicap because it is believed that the child’s quality of life is poor
- pressure to agree to a DNR order or to stop life-sustaining treatment because it is believed that persons with specific disabilities shouldn’t attempt to prolong their lives
Takeaway
Everyone, regardless of disability, should have equal access to medical care.
By being aware of your rights and seeking out healthcare providers who value and respect accessibility and diversity, you can take charge of your healthcare journey.
Disability rights organizations can assist you in getting the healthcare and treatment opportunities you are entitled to. Please get in touch if you are having trouble accessing healthcare.