1. Working with disability consultants
IEHP contracts with the Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions (CDIHP) at Western University of Health Sciences to review IEHP policies and procedures and improve our ability to meet the needs of Members with disabilities.
Guided by health professionals, educators, public policy makers, and people with disabilities, CDIHP advocates empowering people with disabilities to be active participants in their health care, and encourages qualified people with disabilities to pursue careers in health professions.
2. Doctor accessibility and convenient bus routes
IEHP’s Provider Directory rates basic physical accessibility features of its Primary Care Doctors (PCP) offices, to assist Members with disabilities. It also lists bus routes within blocks of PCP offices.
Going beyond state requirements, IEHP has set higher standards for its own facility site audits. The results of these basic accessibility audits are published in the IEHP Provider Directory, available by calling IEHP Member Services at 1-800-440-IEHP (4347)/TTY (909) 890-0731, or visit our website.
3. Providing a mail order pharmacy program
With the Prescription-By-Mail Program, Members with disabilities may order and receive medications without ever having to leave home. IEHP’s convenient mail order pharmacy program helps ensure timely access to on-going prescriptions
4. Home delivery of medications
IEHP’s Provider Directory lists Pharmacies that deliver medications directly to a Member’s home.
5. Speeding specialty referrals
With Doctor-2-Doctor, no approval is necessary for an initial consultation with a Specialist. For Members with chronic conditions, one referral will conveniently cover many specialty visits or visits to different Specialists.
6. Providing interpreter services
IEHP provides American sign language and foreign language interpretation services to facilitate communication between Members and Providers. For more information call IEHP Member Services at
1-800-440-IEHP (4347)/TTY (909) 890-0731.
7. Providing TTY access
Members who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have a speech disability can access IEHP by TTY at (909) 890-0731 (a TTY allows Members to send and receive text messages).
8. Coordinating care and services
IEHP has dedicated nurses closely monitoring the health care needs of Members when necessary. They assist Members with coordination of care activities, helping to schedule appointments with Specialists and arranging medically necessary transportation.
9. Coordinating care and services for members with disabilities
A dedicated health management program is being developed to provide even more focused service coordination for Members with disabilities.
10. Providing diabetes education
IEHP’s Diabetes Program teaches Members how to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range. Members get useful information to help plan meals, increase daily activity, practice healthy foot care, and avoid serious diabetes-related health problems. For more information call IEHP Member Services at 1-800-440-IEHP (4347)/
TTY (909) 890-0731.
11. Helping Members to stop smoking
IEHP has a multi-level Stop Smoking Program that can be adjusted to fit a Member’s needs. Participants get tips on how to: avoid gaining weight, fight urges and cravings and deal with friends or family members who still smoke. When medication is part of the plan, Members will also be able to get prescriptions to help quit smoking. For more information call IEHP Member Services at
1-800-440-IEHP (4347)/TTY (909) 890-0731.
12. Providing programs to promote living well with a disability
IEHP is working with Disability community organizations to offer programs that will empower our members with disabilities to take control over their own health.
13. Making information accessible
Our Evidence of Coverage and Disclosure Form (Member Handbook), which serves as the contract between Members and IEHP, is available in Braille, large print, audio cassette, and electronic formats to accommodate Member needs (available upon request by calling IEHP Member Services at 1-800-440-IEHP (4347)/
TTY (909) 890-0731).
14. Making the website accessible
IEHP plans to make its website accessible to those with sensory disabilities.
15. Tracking complaints
To more closely monitor and address needs, IEHP is separately tracking the complaints or grievances of Members with disabilities.
16. Publishing disability-related articles in newsletters and other targeted communication
IEHP publishes important information for Members with disabilities in the Member and Provider Newsletters.
IEHP also intends to issue information kits specifically designed for Members with disabilities, including pre-
and post-enrollment materials.
17. Community Resource Guide
IEHP’s Community Resource Guide lists more than 200 organizations and supportive services for Members, including those with disabilities. Service information includes, but is not limited to, such topics as: housing, personal assistant services, caregivers, counseling, training classes for orientation and mobility skills and independent living skills, and Braille transcription. IEHP is continuing to add more disability-related services to the Guide. To get a guide call IEHP Member Services at
1-800-440-IEHP (4347)/TTY (909) 890-0731.
18. Wheelchair-fitting clinic
IEHP is developing a Wheelchair Fitting and Seating Clinic that will find the right wheelchair for Members’. The Seating Clinic will ensure that all Members who use a wheelchair receive high quality equipment as well as a consistent standard of care. Professionals knowledgeable about body positioning and the latest wheelchair equipment available will conduct all evaluations.
19. Researching accessible medical equipment
IEHP and CDIHP are partners in the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) grant focusing on the need for accessible medical equipment for people with disabilities.
IEHP and CDIHP are developing recommendations for medical equipment that would give Members with disabilities improved access to OB/GYN and other services and facilities.
20. Persons with Disabilities Workgroup -
Listening to what our Members say
IEHP’s Persons with Disabilities Workgroup is a quarterly forum enabling Members with disabilities and members of the community to make recommendations on health care services, education priorities, communication issues,
and other needs of Members with disabilities. For more information call IEHP Member Services at
1-800-440-IEHP (4347)/TTY (909) 890-0731.