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Welcome to Montgomery Center for Independant Living. The Center encourages people with disabilities to support one another in reaching their own independent living goals. The Center also promotes equal access and disability rights through advocacy and public awareness activities. |
Ticket To Work—Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIA)
This landmark legislation modernizes the employment services system for people with disabilities and makes it possible for millions of Americans with disabilities to no longer have to choose between taking a job and having health care. CMS will be providing information to states, beneficiaries and advocacy groups on an ongoing basis concerning implementation of this important legislation.
The TWWIIA provides:
Improved access to employment training and placement services for people with disabilities who want to work [administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA)]. For more information about the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program see the SSA website (www.ssa.gov/work).
Increased opportunities for states to limit barriers to employment for people with disabilities by improving access to health care coverage available under Medicare and Medicaid (administered by the Department of Health and Human Services and CMS.
The four sections of the Act that provide health care support for people with disabilities who work are:
Medicaid Buy-In. Section 201 of TWWIIA governs the provision of health care services to workers with severe disabilities by establishing a Medicaid state plan buy-In optional eligibility groups. As of 2005 over 80,000 individuals in 32 states were covered under this new eligibility group.
Extended Medicare Coverage. Section 202 extends the period of premium free Medicare Part A coverage and requires consumer protection for some individuals with Medigap coverage. Individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance who elect to work above threshold levels (substantial gainful activity) can maintain their Medicare coverage for eight and a half years after they return to work.
Medicaid Infrastructure Grants. Section 203 provides grants to states to develop state infrastructures to support working individuals with disabilities. As of 2005 there are over 40 participating states and the District of Columbia.
Demonstration to Maintain Independence and employment. Section 204 provides for a demonstration to provide health care coverage to individuals with potentially disabling conditions who work testing the hypothesis that the provision of health care and related supports will prolong independence and employment and reduce dependency on disability income support programs.
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