This resource guide is the result of a year-long partnership between Penn Dental Medicine and the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama.  With funding from Carequest Oral Health Research Institute, we worked together to develop a collaborative approach to identifying and removing barriers to dental care for people with disabilities in the Greater Philadelphia area.   We hope these resources will help support access to care.

— Dr. Miriam Robbins, Director, Care Center for Persons with Disabilities

 Transportation Services for People with Disabilities

Resources to Assist with Costs of Transportation

  • Medical Assistance Transportation Services (for Medicaid recipients)
    • Non-emergency medical transportation at no cost to PA residents who receive medical assistance and have an unmet transportation need. Cites dental services.
    • Requires an application process to the county office: http://matp.pa.gov/CountyContact.aspx
    • MATP picks people up at the curb. If the person’s disability or limitations keeps them from getting to the curb, MATP is required to provide door-to-door service, when the need is medically verified.
    • MATP eligible child, under 18, can be accompanied by a parent or guardian at no cost.
    • For others, someone may accompany you on a trip when independent travel is not possible due to age, disability, language barriers, or when an escort is verified necessary for you to get medical examinations and treatment.
  • PA Find My Ride: programs to make transportation accessible and affordable to everyone. Public transportation services are available in every county including:
    • Shared ride service in all 67 counties
    • Fixed route bus service in 49 counties
    • Fixed route rail service in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
    • Find My Ride application for free or low cost programs for seniors, persons with disability and low income individuals.

 

Reimbursement Resources

  • National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped links persons with disability and aged people who cannot afford treatment and are not eligible for public aid to dentists in their communities. NFDH is affiliate of the American Dental Association and state and local dental associations.

Pennsylvania Medicaid Waivers

  • Adult Autism Waiver — A 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver designed to provide long-term services and supports for community living, tailored to the specific needs of adults age 21 or older with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • Consolidated Waiver — Designed to help individuals with an intellectual disability, autism or developmental disability to live more independently in their homes and communities and to provide a variety of services that promote community living, including self-directed service models and traditional, agency-based service models.
  • Community Living Waiver — Supports individuals with an intellectual disability, autism or developmental disability to live more independently in their homes and communities through the provision of a variety of services that promote community living, employment, communication, self-direction, choice and control.
  • Person/Family Directed Support Waiver — Designed to help individuals with an intellectual disability, autism, or developmental disability to live more independently in their homes and communities and to provide a variety of services that promote community living, including self-directed service models and traditional, agency-based service models.