Disability Rights Ohio has announced a new partnership with law firm McDonald Hopkins LLC to expand its existing Medicaid Pro Bono Program, which provides legal services to Ohio families and children with disabilities. The program, which started when DRO teamed up with Nationwide Insurance in 2017, will now be able to reach more people struggling to obtain access to adequate healthcare services and medical equipment.
The process starts when clients call DRO for help with a Medicaid appeal. DRO then connects volunteer attorneys and paralegals from McDonald Hopkins and Nationwide with eligible clients and works collaboratively with the volunteer teams to train, screen and refer eligible clients and provide case preparation and ongoing support.
To be eligible for referral, individuals must have a disability and live in one of the following counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Champaign, Clark, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Geauga, Greene, Hardin, Hocking, Huron, Knox, Lake, Licking, Logan, Lorain, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Portage, Ross, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Union, Wayne.
“We are excited to expand this successful program,” says DRO Executive Director Michael Kirkman. “In an area where there is more demand than our office can meet, our partnerships with Nationwide and now with McDonald Hopkins result in better outcomes for people with disabilities who are trying to navigate the incredibly complicated Medicaid system.”
“Providing pro bono legal assistance is very important to us at McDonald Hopkins,” said Maria Carr, the McDonald Hopkins attorney who is leading this initiative for the firm. “We are eager to help DRO’s clients get appropriate access to Medicaid and receive the medical care they need.”
Individuals interested in speaking with a volunteer about a Medicaid administrative case, or those who want to learn more about eligibility requirements for this program, are encouraged to contact Disability Rights Ohio at 800-282-9181 and select option 2 for intake.
