Consumer Guide: Special Health Care Needs
There are many parts to health care. You may find yourself facing different hurdles at different points in your life. Here, we list some resources to help you with special health care needs.
Disabilities and long-term illness
If you have a disability or a long-term (chronic) illness, or care for someone who does, these resources may help:
- Medicare and Medicaid for Those with Disabilities—See who qualifies for Medicare and Medicaid and how to apply. If you have a disability, you may be able to get Medicaid or Medicare to help with health care costs.
- Resources for People with Disabilities or Chronic Illness—View a list of government programs and private organizations that may be able to get you care and support.
- Resources for Caregivers—Find support services and helpful information for people who care for older adults or people with a disability.
- Resources for Specific Conditions—Find support groups and programs for people with certain health conditions:
- AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency virus)
- Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Arthritis
- Blindness or low vision
- Brain injury
- Cancer
- Cerebral palsy
- Cystic fibrosis
- Deaf or hard of hearing
- Developmental disabilities
- Diabetes
- Down syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Lung disease
- Lyme disease
- Mental illness
- Muscular dystrophy
- Pain and other symptoms
- Pleural mesothelioma
No health insurance or way to pay for health care
If you don’t have health insurance and aren’t sure how to pay for your care, first view What to Do If you Cannot Afford Health Insurance. You may qualify for a government program. There are also some free and low-cost options for care in Wisconsin:
- Free or Reduced-Fee Dental Services
- Free Hospitals and Charity Care in Wisconsin
- Free or Reduced-Fee Medical Care Services
- Free or Reduced-Fee Vision Services
- Help with Prescription Drugs
Problems with a health care provider or bill
If you have a problem with a doctor, facility, insurance, or medical debt, view Complaints or Problems with Your Health Care. This web page has resources to help you know what to do next.