Securing Medicaid Services for a Girl with Spina Bifida

The Problem: A 9-year old who was born with spina bifida was denied eligibility for health services through the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

The Results: With the guidance of Cuddy Law Firm, the girl’s mother obtained a new psychological report proving her daughter’s adaptive functioning was below the agency’s threshold score of 70 to qualify for services. At a hearing on her daughter’s case, a licensed psychologist described the many ways that the child’s spina bifida impacted her ability to function with everyday life skills, such as using a watch or buying items from a store clerk. On the basis of the new evidence and testimony, the hearing officer directed OPWDD to approve the child for Medicaid services.

Decision Date: July 24, 2017