Fact Sheet

AWARE fact sheets cover a variety of topics including, developmental disabilities and mental health.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a program that utilizes a partnership between the federal government and state governments.Its purpose is to provide financial assistance to low-income people. It provides assistance to people and children challenged by physical disabilities, mental illness, and developmental disabilities.

Every state’s method of dispensing federal Medicaid dollars is different, which means that if you qualify for Medicaid in one state, you may not automatically qualify in another.

The application process for Medicaid can be complex; however, staff at AWARE are available to help you navigate the process. Or, go to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/programsservices/medicaid.shtml webpage for more information.

What is SCHIP?

SCHIP stands for "State Children’s Health Insurance Plan." Many families earn enough money not to be considered "low income," yet, with high healthcare costs, still cannot provide adequate health insurance for their children. The SCHIP program was designed to provide health insurance to this segment of the population.

SCHIP, like Medicaid, uses federal dollars. When states receive the money, they can

Therefore, like Medicaid, each state’s SCHIP program is different. For more information on Montana’s SCHIP program, visit the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (http://chip.mt.gov/aboutchip.shtml) webpage.

What is HIPAA?

HIPAA stands for the "Health Information Portability & Accountability Act." It was passed by Congress in 1996. Its purpose is twofold and governs the manner in which medical records are kept and insurance is provided through an employer. It also protects personal health information of citizens.

The HIPAA Act states that entities such as hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies must limit the amount of medical information that is requested of a person. This goes a long way in protecting the anonymity of patients’ medical history, and eliminates the chance that people will be denied employer-based health insurance because of a pre-existing health condition.
For more information on the HIPAA Act, visit the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/hipaa.shtml) webpage.

What is the definition of "Developmentally Disabled?"

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services defines “Developmentally Disabled” as:

What is SED?

SED stands for "Serious Emotional Disturbance," and it means that – with respect to youth from the ages of 6 to 17 years – the youth have been determined by a licensed mental health professional as having a mental disorder as described in the DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). As a result of this diagnosis, the youth consistently demonstrates behavior that is not considered to be appropriate normal development, and the behavior cannot be attributed to intellectual, sensory, or health factors.

Click here to download a pdf version of this fact sheet