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Today I’d like to talk about funding of the evaluation and training session and funding of the adaptive equipment itself.  All insurances are different and you should contact your insurance company to see if they pay for driver rehabilitation services such as evaluation and training. 

Generally your health insurance will not pay for the evaluation and training but some organizations may charge your health insurance for an occupational therapy evaluation for the clinical assessment.  This is not universal.  Worker compensation and auto insurances may cover evaluation and training for people who were injured in a work or auto-related accident. 

State vocational agencies may cover the services for people who have a goal to become employed, return to employment or remain employed.  In some states the vocational rehabilitation agency may cover the cost of services for homemakers.  The Veterans Administration may provide funding for veterans. Some programs may have grants or self-pay discounts for people who do not have insurance that will cover the cost of driver rehabilitation services.

There are many resources for funding the equipment for your vehicle.  Like the evaluation and training, your health insurance generally does not cover the cost of adapting your vehicle.  If you were injured at work or in an auto accident you should check with your auto insurance or worker compensation insurance to see if they are responsible to pay for the adaptations on your vehicle.

All of the United States car manufacturers will rebate the cost of adaptive driving aids up to $1,000 for new vehicle purchase or lease.  Many of the foreign car manufacturers do as well.  Go to http://nmeda.org/consumers/rebateprograms.html for a complete listing of manufacturers rebate programs.  If you are purchasing a vehicle from a manufacturer without a mobility rebate plan, ask the dealer to meet the offer from manufacturers that do have a rebate program.

Your state’s vocational rehabilitation agency may cover some or all of the costs associated with adapting your vehicle to assist you to get to and from work.  The VA may cover the cost of adaptive equipment if the injury was service related, though they may pay for vehicle lifts regardless if your injury was service related.  The Paralyzed Veterans Association is also a good resource.  Their local association may have resources for used vehicles or donated vehicles.  Go to http://www.pva.org/ and click on membership to find you local chapter.

Many of the people I see with MS have hand controls donated to them from the MS Society, so you may want to check with disability advocate agencies to see if they offer a similar program.  In Michigan we also have a Michigan Technology Loan Fund which is a loan guarantee and interest rate subsidy to qualifying individuals.  This will help to finance a vehicle for the useful life of the vehicle rather than the typical 48 to 60 month period.  http://www.michiganloanfunds.org/

Finally, I have seen friend and family throw benefit events; churches that have a potluck dinner with a silent auction where the proceeds go into an account for vehicle adaptations and maintenance or other household modifications and adaptive equipment.