Abigail
Helping Obtain Healthcare Services so a Young Woman Can Attend College
Eighteen-year old Abigail has a spinal cord injury that gives her no use of her hands and causes her to rely on a power wheelchair for mobility. Abigail’s mom first contacted PHLP for assistance with Abigail’s transition into the OBRA waiver, a program offered to adults with disabilities in Pennsylvania. We assisted in outreach to the waiver enrollment broker to clarify what additional documentation was needed for her approval in the OBRA waiver. Once we confirmed which documents were missing, we worked with Abigail’s family to make sure they were submitted timely, and she was approved for the OBRA waiver. Now that she’s on the OBRA waiver, Abgail has access to supports in her home and community that will help her live a fulfilling and healthy life.
Yet not long after being approved for the OBRA waiver, Abigail’s health plan denied her home health aide services, which she needs in order to attend Dickinson College in the fall to help complete her activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom. We helped Abigail’s mother file an appeal challenging this denial, and we worked with Abigail’s doctor to gather supporting medical records and letters showing why she needed the home health aide services being requested. Within 48 hours of submitting the new information, the health plan approved Abigail’s home health aide services! She can now attend college with the supports she needs and is very grateful to PHLP for our assistance.
