OMRDD Regulations for Annual Physicals

The state of New York's Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities is a public agency that serves individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. They assist clients in attaining and maintaining good health, work, and living arrangements. OMRDD regulates the initial physical exam, which determines eligibility and recommends routine, annual physical exams.

Initial Physical

• To qualify for OMRDD services, a clinician must confirm the presence of a handicap with functional limitations that developed before age 22 and determine that handicap to be indefinite. Clinicians must have a masters or doctoral level of education in the area of diagnosis for the OMRDD to accept the exam results.

Annual Physical

• The OMRDD recommends clients have an annual physical; however, it does not require one. The majority of OMRDDs clients have health care coverage under Medicare and/or Medicaid, which provides specific regulations for annual physical exams.

Medicare

• Medicare will pay for an initial preventative physical examination within the first 12 months of enrollment. It does not pay for an annual physical.

Medicaid

• Medicaid, which is health insurance for low-income people, does pay for an annual physical exam. Most OMRDD clients qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid because they are disabled and unable to earn a substantial income.