Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP)

LIBRARY

Funding for Assistive Technology through Private Insurance
(Arizona Department of Insurance, ADOI)

Private insurance is an industry regulated by both the state and federal governments. In Arizona, the state regulatory agency is the Department of Insurance. Private insurance is designed to assist covered individuals in paying for their medical care, which may include assistive technology devices and services. Arizona’s current health care system does not mandate coverage for all individuals, nor does it require policies be issued that cover all health-related needs of state residents. Covered services generally are those that relate to acute illness or injury.

Eligibility

Any person who is covered under a group policy (generally one purchased by an employer, e.g. an HMO ) or who purchases a non-group individual policy is entitled to the care and services described in the insurance contract. It is important to remember that insurance must be purchased before you actually need it and application for any insurance policy is dependent on the state of your health at the time you make application for coverage.

Coverage

The scope of services is limited to the specific terms in your policy. In general, insurance usually is structured to meet the acute care needs of individuals. Therefore, insurance companies have been much more willing to fund the purchase of durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs rather than other rehabilitation technology such as augmentative communication devices. This has changed in recent years with the advent of another type of insurance policy offered in Arizona Long-Term Care Insurance (ALTC). ALTC insurance products provide coverage for chronic health problems, long-term care (such as in-home health care or nursing homes), and funds to support “activities of daily living” (ADLs). ADLs are defined in each policy, and generally include activities such as bathing, eating, food preparation, grooming, walking, and taking medications. Insurance carriers may not discriminate on the basis of diagnosis or disability in providing insurance coverage.

Contacts

Information on the scope of coverage and on the individual claims process may be obtained by calling the claims department of your personal insurance company. This information may be found in the summary of benefits given to policy holders or persons covered under a group plan. You also may call:

  • Arizona Department of Insurance Consumer Services Division
    • 2910 N. 44th Street, Suite 210
      Phoenix, AZ 85018-7256
      Voice: (800) 544-9208
      Fax:   (602) 912-8469
      TTY:   (800) 367-8939 (Arizona Relay Service)

      In the Tucson area, call (520) 628-6370