TRANSITION QUICKGUIDE: TAKE CHARGE OF PLANNING 

AND MANAGING YOUR OWN HEALTH AND CAREER GOALS 

This information is for youth and young adults, including those with disabilities and chronic health 

conditions, from ages 12-30. With support from families, health care providers, workforce professionals, 

and others, young people can gain self-care and decision-making skills to take charge of planning and 

managing their own health and career goals. 

Because the ability to manage one’s health and wellness is critical to going to school, learning, and 

transitioning into employment, planning your health and career goals goes hand in hand. The first step to 

making your career dream a reality is taking care of your health. This checklist provides information and 

resources about health insurance coverage, self-care, health care transition, decision-making, and career 

planning and management. 

HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

Health insurance coverage pays for provider services, medications, hospital care, and special equipment 

when you’re sick. It is also important when you’re not sick. Insurance coverage includes preventive 

health services, immunizations, mental/behavioral health services, and more to help you and your family 

stay healthy. 

Understanding these key health insurance words will help you manage your health insurance coverage.

Co-insurance is your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a percent 

(for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service. You pay co-insurance plus any deductibles 

you owe. 

Co-payment or copay is the amount you may be required to pay for a covered service (for example, 

$30). It is usually paid at the time you receive the service. 

Deductible is the amount you owe for health care services before your health insurance or plan 

begins to pay. For example, if your deductible is $1,000, your insurance provider won’t pay anything 

except for preventive care until you’ve met your $1,000 deductible.

Premium is the amount that must be paid for your health insurance or plan. You, your employer, 

and/or your parents usually pay it monthly, quarterly, or yearly. It is not included in your deductible, 

your copayment, or your co-insurance. 

Network is the facilities, providers, and suppliers your health insurer has contracted with to provide 

health care services. Contact your insurance company to find out which providers are in-network. 

Networks can change. Check with your provider each time you make an appointment, so you can 

know how much you will have to pay. If a provider is out-of-network, it might cost you more to see 

them.

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What do I need to know?

 Your options for health insurance coverage 

depend on a variety of factors, including your age, 

state of residence, income level, employment 

status, and other personal circumstances. 

 The costs you are responsible for – co-insurance, 

co-payment, deductible, and premium.

 The cost difference between seeing a provider in-network and out-of-network. 

 The cost you have to pay for prescription medicine. 

 Limits on the number of visits for certain services, such as physical therapy or home health care. 

 Requirements for approval to see a specialist or go to the hospital. 

Resources You Can Use

Ꮂ Healthcare.Gov is the destination for the Health Insurance Marketplace 

if you do not have coverage through a job, Medicaid, CHIP or another 

source. It provides information about health care plans and prices to help 

you decide what plan would be a good fit for you and within your budget. 

Ꮂ From Coverage to Care provides written resources and videos to help 

people with new health care coverage understand their benefits and 

connect to care. The From Coverage to Care, A Roadmap to Better Care and 

a Healthier You provides information from start to finish on how to get 

and manage your health care insurance coverage.

Ꮂ Young Invincibles FAQs provide answers to frequently asked questions 

about health care law, including the Affordable Care Act.

Ꮂ The Catalyst Center provides information related to health insurance for youth with disabilities 

and their families.

SELF-CARE

Self-care involves actions you take to care for your physical and mental 

health. These include learning about your medical conditions, how often you 

need to take your medications, and how to make your own appointments. 

What do I need to know?

 Taking charge of your own health care takes time and patience. 

Seeing your provider alone, making your own appointments, and filling 

prescriptions may be challenging at first but gets easier with practice.

 Learn as much as possible about your health needs, your family 

history, your medical condition and your medications, what 

preventive steps help you stay healthy, and what to do in case of a 

medical emergency.

Health care coverage 

purchased through 

the Health Insurance 

Marketplace has no 

lifetime or annual 

caps on essential 

health benefits, and 

preexisting conditions 

exclusions have been 

eliminated.

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 Use a calendar, either a paper one or one on your phone, to keep track of doctors’ appointments 

and medication refills.

 Have your insurance card with you at all times. If you don’t have an insurance card or another 

document to use as proof of your insurance, ask your parents or family how to get it or contact 

your insurance provider.

 Save the phone numbers and addresses of your doctor(s) and pharmacy in your cell phone or on a 

card in your wallet. Oftentimes a pharmacy will require the name and address of your doctor, so it’s 

a good thing to have.

 Keep a medical summary on your phone or in your wallet that lists your diagnosis, medications, 

allergies, emergency contacts, and past medical services.

Resources You Can Use

Ꮂ Got Transition’s Sample Medical Summary and Emergency Care Plan can be useful to keep track of 

your medical information. Work with your health care provider to fill it out.

Ꮂ Disability.Gov connects people with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers to resources on 

topics such as benefits, civil rights, community life, education, emergency preparedness, 

employment, health, housing, technology, and transportation. Learning about disability-related 

programs, services, policies, laws, and regulations is another crucial element to taking care of 

yourself.

HEALTH CARE TRANSITION 

Health care transition is the purposeful, planned 

movement of adolescents and young adults from 

child-centered to adult-centered medical care. 

What do I need to know?

 Every young adult transitions to adult care and 

most to a new doctor(s), usually between ages 

18 and 21. 

 Adult-centered care is different from pediatric 

care. Parents and family are no longer in charge 

after age 18 - you are. Finding an adult doctor who meets your needs can take some time.

 If you go to a pediatrician, find out when you will have to switch to an adult doctor, and ask if your 

doctor can help you find a new doctor. 

 Talk to your doctor’s office staff to make sure your medical information is sent to your new doctor.

 Ask your new adult provider about the services they provide and their costs, as well as the 

insurance plans they accept.

Resources You Can Use

Ꮂ Got Transition’s Transition Readiness Assessment checklist can help you identify needed health 

care skills to become more independent. 

Ꮂ Got Transition’s Dr. Right: The Right Way to Discuss Transition video shows a young woman 

talking with her health care provider about her health care transition plan.

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DECISION-MAKING

Decision-making is a skill that requires practice and a variety of experiences. Having this skill will allow 

you to choose the best course of action to take care of your health and well-being in partnership with 

your health care providers.

What do I need to know?

 When you turn 18, you are in charge of making your own health care decisions and are also the 

only one that can access your medical information, unless other plans are made.

 If you want to have your family or others involved in making your health care decisions or knowing 

your medical information, you will need to give written permission to your health care providers. 

 There are a range of options for assistance in decision-making after age 18, ranging from the least 

restrictive (signed consent form at doctor’s office) to the most restrictive (legal guardianship). 

Another option to consider is supported decision-making, which allows you to direct your own 

health care with assistance from others whom you trust to help you understand and make 

decisions for yourself. It is best to consider these options well before age 18.

 If you need support with making health care decisions, become familiar with available resources 

as early as possible. Disability groups in your state can help guide you to free or inexpensive legal 

resources.

Resources You Can Use

Ꮂ Got Transition’s Resources on Guardianship and Decision-Making provide tips and webinars about 

health care decision-making for youth with disabilities.

Ꮂ The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights’ Sharing Health 

Information with Family Members and Friends provides information about the Health Insurance 

Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA).

Ꮂ The Supported Decision-Making: An 

Agenda for Action brief provides an 

overview of action steps, legal issues, 

policies and practices, and research issues 

to consider when providing people in need 

of support with individualized decisionmaking assistance. 
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CAREER PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Career planning and management involves acquiring 

the job search skills needed to secure employment in a 

chosen career path, and to maximize your employability 

across the life span. It also involves the continued 

development of career readiness skills and the traits, 

work habits, and behaviors associated with a lifelong 

commitment to seeking new opportunities for gaining 

skills and experiences.

What do I need to know?

 Understanding the role of your health when thinking 

about your career plans will help set you up for a 

successful transition into adulthood.

 It’s good to have a variety of paid and unpaid workbased learning experiences, including part-time or 

summer jobs, community service, volunteer work, 

apprenticeships or internships. Having these experiences can help you learn about the types of 

careers that most interest you and about how to manage your health and/or need for reasonable 

accommodation in different employment situations.

 Telling someone you have a disability is a very personal decision. Knowing how and when 

disclosure will be most effective is something that takes thought and practice. Practicing with your 

friends and family will give you a chance to explore how to disclose your disability and request an 

accommodation, if needed. 

 A great way to start your search for paid or unpaid work-based learning experience is to ask your 

friends and family if they know about opportunities that match your interests and will help you 

prepare for your dream career. 

 Learn how to expand your network. When networking for the purpose of career development, this 

means talking with friends, family members, teachers, community leaders, and acquaintances about 

your goals, interests, and dreams. 

 Everyone can work, if they have the right supports in place. In addition to financial benefits, 

including access to employer-based health insurance, work contributes to one’s overall health by 

helping maintain physical and mental fitness.

 Many employers provide insurance as a job benefit. Employer-based health insurance is one of the 

most common ways people get health insurance as adults.

 Learn about the salary and benefits package before accepting a job offer. For example, some 

employers may offer health insurance only when you work 40 hours a week. 

 If you receive Social Security benefits, talk to your benefits counselor about work incentive 

opportunities that allow you to keep your benefits while working. 
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Resources You Can Use

Ꮂ The Individualized Learning Plans How-to Guide provides career development activities and 

resources that can be used to prepare youth and young adults to identify a career goal that fits 

with their personal strengths and interests. 

Ꮂ The Making the Move to Managing Your Own Personal Assistance Services (PAS): A Toolkit for 

Youth with Disabilities Transitioning to Adulthood toolkit provides tips on how to better manage 

your own personal assistance services. 

Ꮂ The My Next Move website provides information to help you learn more about an industry or 

career of your choice. 

Ꮂ The American Job Center, Workforce Recruitment Program, Pathways Program, Greater 

Washington Internship Coalition, Corporation for National and Community Service, and the 

National Youth Transitions Resume Database & Job Listings provide additional resources about 

work-based learning experiences.

Ꮂ The Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success provides information on what soft skills youth 

and young adults need to get a job and advance in their career.

Ꮂ The 411 on Disability Disclosure and Cyber Disclosure provide tips and information to learn more 

about disability disclosure.

Ꮂ The Social Security Work Incentives website provides information on work incentive programs for 

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. 

Ꮂ The MyMoney.Gov website provides tips on how to better manage your money. 

This document was created through an Alliance with the Youth Transitions Collaborative, 

Got Transition/Center for Health Care Transition Improvement, and the U.S. Department of 

Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.