In the medical world, the word "transition" refers to preparing youth for the experience of becoming consumers of adult heath care.
Child Health Specialty Clinics has developed resources for parents and caregivers and youth and young adults to prepare them for the process of transitioning from pediatric to adult health care.
Health Care Privacy and Decision-Making
At the age of 18, most young adults become responsible for their own health care decisions and are the only ones who can see their health information. However, there are several options that may allow family members to continue to be involved in the health care decisions of youth with special health care needs.
- Support Decision-Making allows individuals to make their own choices, while receiving help as needed from friends, family members, and professionals. The National Center for Supported Decision-Making has resources to help youth with special health care needs and their families to plan for this process.
- A Power of Attorney allows the court to name a person to act on a young adult's behalf, and to make health care, financial, or other decisions for them. Depending on an individual's needs, the Power of Attorney can be written to apply to certain topics or to end at a certain time.
- Guardianship is a court-authorized way to allow one person (the guardian) to make decisions for another person (the ward). These decisions include medical treatment, where to live, and who is allowed to visit.
- Conservatorship is when a court assigns one person to mange the money of another person.
For more information about these options, contact Disability Rights Iowa, Iowa Legal Aid, Frank A. Varvaris, or another lawyer.
Transition and Health Insurance
Health insurance pays for appointments, medicines, hospital care, special equipment, and immunizations. As youth with special health care needs move to the adult health care system, there are several resources available to help families navigate this transition.
Health Insurance Options in Iowa
- Iowa Medicaid - Provides health care coverage for financially-needy parents with children, children and adults with disabilities, elderly people, and pregnant women.
- Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawk-i) - Provides health care coverage for uninsured children of working families through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
- Iowa Health and Wellness Plan - Provides health coverage at low or no cost to Iowans between the ages of 19 and 64. Eligibility is based on household income.
Money Follows the Person provides funding for individuals to move out of Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and into their own homes in the community of their choice.
Transition and Education
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools to provide transition planning for all students 14 years and older who receive special education services. This process should focus on improving the academic and functional achievement of the students, and facilitating the student's movement from school to post-school activities.
These may include post-secondary education, vocational education, integrated employment, or independent living
For more information contact the Heartland Area Education Agency, Think College, or the University of Iowa REACH Program.