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State Assistance Programs for Assistive Technology & Home Medical Equipment
Page Reviewed / Updated - November 16, 2010
Table of Contents |
- Introduction
- Assistive Technology Projects
- Device / Equipment Loan Programs
- Device Recycling / Exchange Programs
- Low Interest Loans and Grants
- Contact Information
- Protection and Advocacy Programs (P&A)
- Non-Medicaid Programs for the Elderly
Introduction
State-based assistance for durable medical equipment can come from one of three types of program (excluding Medicaid). There are Assistive Technology Projects, Protection and Advocacy Programs and non-Medicaid, (state-funded) nursing home diversion programs.
Assistive Technology Projects
The federal Assistive Technology Act funds projects in all 50 states, Washington DC and 5 US territories with the objective of increasing aging individuals’ and /or disabled persons’ access to assistive technology. According to the Act, assistive technology (or “AT)” is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” This is a rather broad definition and fortunately most home medical equipment can be included in it.
Each State AT Project is run independently and provides varying services and supports. However, there are components which are common to nearly every state AT project.
Device / Equipment Loan Programs
These programs lend durable medical equipment and assistive technology devices to individuals on a temporary basis. Their primary objective is to allow persons who are looking to purchase, to try out the devices first. However, they also make short-term loans to individuals whose equipment is being replaced, repaired or that have a short-term need for whatever other reasons. Loans can last from 2 weeks to 6 months, but the majority of loans are made for less than a month. Some states make exceptions and lend for longer periods to those individuals with terminal illnesses.
Each state has different quantities and types of items available but generally speaking the following categories of equipment are available for loan.
- Daily Living Aids
- Augmentative Communication / Sensory Aids
- Computer Hardware and Software
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
- Environmental Controls
- Mobility Devices
Personnel working with these device loan programs may also provide expertise in the areas of fitting the equipment and training individuals and caregivers to use the assistive technologies. Most loan programs do not charge individuals for a loan or if they do, the fees are extremely small, perhaps a few dollars.
Device Recycling / Exchange Programs
These programs solicit donations of used medical equipment and assistive devices. They refurbish, sterilize and test the devices to make sure they are functioning properly and then re-sell the devices at extremely deep discounts. Another component of these programs are their classified ads and matching services. They maintain lists of equipment for sale locally as well as equipment which is needed. They provide a matching service with no fees to the buyer or seller.
Low Interest Loans and Grants
Most states also have funding available to help individuals purchase assistive devices or medical equipment. They may distribute those funds in the form of low interest loans or outright grants. It is worth noting that these organizations may not publicly discuss these programs because they have such limited funds available. One might need to request assistance or meet certain undisclosed eligibility criteria.
Contact Information
Contact information for each state’s assistive technology project is provided in the table below. Click on the program name to go to their websites.
| Assistive Technology Programs | Telephone |
| 800-782-7656 or 334-293-7012 | |
| 800-478-2815 or 907-465-6969 | |
| 011-684-699-1529 or 011-684-699-1373 | |
| 800-477-9921 or 602-728-9534 | |
| 800-828-2799 or 501-683-3000 | |
| 800-390-2699 or 916-558-5786 | |
| 800-255-3477 or 303-315-1280 | |
| 800-537-2549 or 860-424-4881 | |
| 800-870-3284 or 302-831-1589 | |
| 850-487-3278 | |
| 800-497-8665 or 404-638-0384 | |
| 800-645-3007 or 808-532-7110 | |
| 800-432-8324 or 208-885-3557 | |
| 800-852-5110 or 217-522-7985 | |
| 888-466-1314 or 317-466-2013 | |
| 800-331-3027 or 319-356-0550 | |
| 800-526-3648 or 620-421-8367 | |
| 800-327-5287 or 502-429-4484 | |
| 800-270-6185 or 225-925-9500 | |
| 207-621-3195 | |
| Mariana Islands Technology-Related Assistance for Disabled | 670-664-7000 |
| 800-832-4827 or 410-554-9230 | |
| Massachusetts Assistive Technology in Consumer's Hands (MATCH) | 800-245-6543 or 617-204-3600 |
| 800-760-4600 or 517-333-2477 | |
| 888-234-1267 or 651-296-9964 | |
| Mississippi Project START - Success Through Assistive/Rehabilitative Technology | 800-852-8328 or 601-987-4872 |
| 800-647-8557 or 816-655-6700 | |
| 877-243-5511 or 406-243-5676 | |
| 888-806-6287 or 402-471-0734 | |
| 775-687-4452 | |
| 603-224-0630 | |
| 800-922-7233 or 609-292-9742 | |
| 800-866-2253 or 505-954-8533 | |
| 716-847-0650 | |
| 800-624-4143 or 518-388-2888 | |
| 919-233-7075 | |
| 800-265-4728 or 701-365-4729 | |
| 800-784-3425 | |
| 800-257-1705 or 405-744-9748 | |
| 800-677-7512 or 503-361-1201 | |
| 800-204-7428 or 215-204-3330 | |
| 800-981-6033 or 787-764-6035 | |
| 401-421-7005 ext 421 | |
| 800-915-4522 or 803-935-5263 | |
| 800-645-0673 or 605-394-6742 | |
| 800-732-5059 or 615-313-5183 | |
| 800-828-7839 or 512-232-0740 | |
| 800-524-5152 or 435-797-7681 | |
| 888-866-5550 or 801-887-9500 | |
| 800-750-6355 or 802-241-2620 | |
| Virgin Islands Technology-Related Assistance | 340-693-1322 or 340-692-1919 |
| 800-552-5019 | |
| 800-841-8345 or 206-685-4181 | |
| 202-547-0198 | |
| 800-841-8436 or 304-293-4692 | |
| 608-266-8905 | |
| 800-861-4312 or 307-766-2764 |
Protection and Advocacy Programs (P&A)
State Protection and Advocacy Programs provide a wide range of services to disabled individuals in all 50 states. Each state has a lead agency which manages a variety of sub-programs. Most relevant of these sub- programs are the Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) Program and Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR) Program.
Each state’s program is different and some may provide a degree of financial assistance to purchase durable medical equipment or assistive technology. However, it is much more likely for individuals to use their free legal services to contest a claim for durable medical equipment or assistive technology that has been denied by private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.
The PAAT Program has been most successful overturning denied claims for durable medical equipment such as power wheelchairs and their associated ramps and lifts as well as for assistive technology such as adaptive computer equipment and sensory aids for persons with reduced sight or hearing. Click here for contact information for your state’s Protection and Advocacy Program.
Non-Medicaid Programs for the Elderly
A few states also have programs for Medicaid-ineligible seniors that provide a variety of financial supports with the objective of keeping the individuals off of Medicaid. These programs vary quite a bit from state to state but we’ve identified the following programs as having a broad enough charter or specific enough objective where their benefits can apply to individuals in need of home medical equipment and assistive technology. Click on the program names to learn more.