International Exchange: A valuable steps towards employability - Mobility International USA International Exchange Program to Costa Rica

American Rehabilitation, Spring-Summer, 2001 by Mary Ann C. Higgins

Health Insurance

Regarding health insurance, Medicaid and Medicare are not usually transferable overseas. Private health insurance may expect an individual to pay for expenses abroad and then turn in claim forms to be reimbursed when he or she returns to the United States. Individuals should check with their international exchange organization and health insurance provider to find out about coverage abroad and discuss with them carefully any needs for pre-existing conditions coverage.

Summary

It is critical that people with disabilities recognize the importance of international experience and, when possible, include it as part of their preparation for employment. Different funding options are available. State-level VR services may provide funding to individuals for whom an international experience is part of their approved vocational plan. The Social Security Administration supports people with disabilities in getting the experience they need to be employed--including international experience if certain requirements are met. However, individuals going abroad may need to make arrangements for their own health insurance as Medicare and Medicaid are not generally transferable to people overseas.

Free information on the numerous international exchange options for people with disabilities is available from Mobility International USA and the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (see Resources at right).

Note

(1.) Adapted Physical Education (APE) is good teaching which adapts (modifies) the curriculum, task and/or environment so that all students can fully participate in physical education. Federal law (PL 94-142, PL 101-476, PL 105-17) mandates that physical education be provided to students with disabilities (from PE Central Website - Website for Health and Physical Edu-cators, http://pe, central, vt. edu)

Bibliography

The Social Security Administration. (1999). The Social Security Handbook. www. ssa.gov

The Study Group, Inc. (1998). Meeting the needs of youth with disabilities: handbook on supplemental security income work incentives and transition students. The National Transition Network, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota.

Lorenz, J. (1999). Tribute to MIUSA, Over the Rainbow, Mobility International USA.

Resources

Mobility International USA The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange PO Box 10767 Eugene, OR 97440 Voice/TTY: (541) 343-1284 Fax: (541) 343-6812 E-mail: clearin ghouse@miusa.org URL: http://www, miusa.org

Georgia Thrower Social Security Administration 112 Altmeyer Building 6401 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21235 Voice: (410) 965-3987 Fax: (410) 965-9063 E-mail: georgia, thrower@ssa, gov URL: http://www, ssa.gov

Mrs. Higgins is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist working as an independent consultant in Ohio; she is currently working on several international exchange and disability projects for Mobility International USA (MIUSA). She worked for 5 years with MIUSA as an international exchange program coordinator and manager of the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange. Over the past 6 years, she has led delegations of individuals with and without disabilities to Russia, Germany, Costa Rica, and Japan and coordinated numerous programs for international delegations in Eugene, Oregon. She has presented sessions on international opportunities for people with disabilities at professional conferences nationally.