Date Published: September 26, 2024

In this recorded webinar, Lauren Bishop, Ph.D., and Lindsay Shea, Dr.PH., delve into the intersection of Medicaid, Medicare, and health insurance for aging autistic adults, highlighting critical research findings on coverage disparities and access challenges. They examine the implications of service gaps and eligibility criteria on the health outcomes of this population, with a focus on emerging data and policy considerations. They present research and resources for policymakers, advocates, autistic individuals and their families, and researchers interested in advancing knowledge on healthcare access for aging autistic people.

Who is Lauren Bishop?

Lauren Bishop, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work and investigator at the Waisman Center and the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her National Institutes of Health-funded research focuses on empowering autistic adults to live long, healthy, and self-determined lives in their communities. She is currently studying disparities in health and well-being, as well as mechanisms at the individual, provider, and systems level that underlie both healthy aging and early and accelerated aging, in autistic adults as they age.

Who is Lindsay Shea?

Lindsay Shea, Dr.PH., is the Director of the Policy and Analytics Center at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and an Associate Professor at Drexel University. With a focus on the intersection of health policy and neurodevelopmental disorders, her research examines the real-world outcomes and policy implications for autistic individuals and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. Current projects include investigating healthcare access disparities among autistic adults, particularly as they age, and exploring policy interventions that improve service delivery for this population.

Resources

• Presentation (PDF)
• Navigating Medicare and Medicaid: A Resource Guide for People with Disabilities, Their Families, and Their Advocates
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Navigate Your Coverage
• Administration for Community Living: Protection and Advocacy Systems
• National Disability Rights Network
• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Long-Term Services and Supports Open Door Forum
  Dually Eligible Individuals – Categories (PDF)