How can I make sure the transition to adulthood goes smoothly: Healthcare Action Plan

Action Plans > How can I make sure the transition to adulthood goes smoothly: Healthcare Action Plan

Healthcare Action Plan

Youth with disabilities are encouraged to take an active role in their healthcare, as early as possible. It is important to understand how to navigate Medicaid or other insurance options, how to find doctors and specialists that meet your needs, and how to access assessments/evaluations when needed.

To create a custom action plan, select the items below that are relevant to you or someone you support. Upon submission, you will see a summary of your items, which is your personalized action plan.This form will not be saved, however you will be able to print the summary, and if you provided an optional email address, the results will be emailed to you immediately.

Acronym key: MCO = Managed Care Organization

Physical Health

Explore Work Together NC’s library of healthcare services

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian

Resources: Healthcare/Mental Health Services

Ask doctor if and at what age they no longer care for young adults

Approximate Age: 12-13 | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian

Learn what your teen knows about their health, health care, and family medical history. The individual and parent/caregiver can take Got Transition’s Transition Readiness Assessments* and discuss this together and with the doctor.

Approximate Age: 14-15 |Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, Doctor

Resources: Pediatric to Adult Health Care Transition

Provide the individual with their own health insurance card.

Approximate Age: 14-15 | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian

Consider acquiring a medical information ID card for emergencies

Approximate Age: As early as possible | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian, Doctor

Learn more about your health and what to do in case of an emergency.

Approximate Age: 14-15 | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian

Practice making a doctor’s appointment and ordering prescription refills (either by phone, online, or through an app).

Approximate Age: 14-15 and ongoing | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian

Identify health care providers and become informed about sexuality and family planning options

Approximate Age: 13 | Who can help: Individual, family/guardian, and MCO

If appropriate, assume additional responsibility for health care needs (making appointments, etc)

Approximate Age: 18 | Who can help: Individual

Work with your teen and the doctor to make and share a medical summary.

Approximate Age: 16-17 | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian, Doctor

Review health insurance coverage: inform insurance company of child’s disability and investigate rider of continued eligibility

Approximate Age: 17 | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian

Consider applying for Medicaid

Approximate Age: As early as possible | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian

Resources: Medicaid

Before your teen turns 18 and becomes a legal adult, figure out if they will need help making health care decisions. See the “Supported Decision Making & Guardianship” section for more information. *Unless other arrangements have been made (ie., healthcare power of attorney), at age 18, the individual is a legal adult and legally responsible for their care. You cannot access their medical information or be in the doctor’s visit unless your young adult agrees or certain legal forms have been completed.

Approximate Age: 16-17 | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian, Doctor

Talk with your teen about the age they want to transfer to a new doctor for adult care.

Approximate Age: 16-17 | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian

Request/advocate for an updated educational psych evaluation from the school, which may be useful when entering adult services or postsecondary programs.

Approximate Age: Within last 2 years of leaving high school | Who can help: Individual and Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team

Resources: Advocacy Assistance

Mental Health

Explore Work Together NC’s library of mental health services

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: Healthcare/Mental Health Services

If appropriate, assume additional responsibility for mental health care needs (making appointments, etc)

Approximate Age: 16 | Who can help: Individual with help of others

Complete a needs assessment with your managed care organization

Approximate Age: 17 | Who can help: Individual, family, and MCO

Resources: NC-SNAP

Review insurance coverage for mental health services: inform insurance company of child’s disability and investigate rider of continued eligibility

Approximate Age: 17 | Who can help: Individual and family

Explore options for peer support and other community-based resources

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, school, adult service providers

Resources: NAMI

Additional Items

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Disclaimer: This checklist is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be comprehensive, and should not be taken as legal advice. Services and programs mentioned may vary by county. Please consult with professionals with expertise in this topic area for guidance specific to you, your family or student/client’s situation. Have a suggested correction or addition to this checklist? Email worktogethernc@med.unc.edu.