Children with Special Health Care Needs (CMH): Is a Ohio State Funded Program which provides medical coverage for children up to 22 years of age who have a medical handicapping condition and meet the medical and financial eligibility criteria. Carroll County General Health District Registered Nurses work as case managers doing home visits with eligible families. CMH is a health care coverage program (similar to insurance) in the State of Ohio, linking families of children with special health care needs to a network of quality physicians.
Do you have, or know of a child with a Special Health Care Need?
The Children with Medical Handicaps Program (CMH) may be able to help. (CMH was formerly BCMH)
What is CMH?
CMH, the Children with Medical Handicaps Program is a health care program in the Ohio Department of Health. It links families of children with special health care needs to a network of quality providers and helps families obtain payments for services their child needs. CMH supports the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) where primary care providers and families work together to improve health outcomes and quality of life for children and youth with special health care needs and their families.
Three Ways CMH Can Help
CMH has three programs to help children with special health care needs. All services must be given by CMH approved providers.
Children can receive services for up to six months, from CMH-approved providers, to rule out or diagnose a special health care need or establish a plan of treatment. These services may include:
- Tests and x-rays
- Therapy evaluations
- Public health nursing services Visits to CMH-approved doctors
- Up to five days in the hospital
Children can receive services for one year, from CMH-approved providers, for treatment of an eligible condition. Both medical and financial eligibility are required for the Treatment Program. All services must be related to the child’s eligible condition. If the child remains eligible, services may be renewed each year until the child reaches age 21.
- Laboratory tests and x-rays
- Physician visits
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Surgeries and hospitalizations
- Public health nursing services
- Therapies
- Service coordination
This program helps families locate and coordinate services for their child. This is a limited program available to children, with specific conditions, who are seen by a team of providers at hospitals approved by CMH for service coordination.
Eligibility and Enrollment
Those who are: Age 0-21 Permanent residents of Ohio Under the care of CMH-approved doctor (M.D or D.O.) and who have or may have a chronic medical condition Financial eligibility is required for the Treatment Program only.
The child’s CMH-approved doctor (M.D. or D.O.) sends a medical application form to CMH. Public health nurses can start the application process by referring families to CMH approved doctors. The parent, legal guardian or client who is at least 18 years old must sign the release of information and consent on the application form before CMH can act on the application.
- AIDS
- Cancer
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cleft lip/palate
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Scoliosis
- Hemophilia
- Hearing Loss
- Juvenile arthritis
- Metabolic disorders
- Severe vision disorders
- Sickle cell disease
- Spina bifida
- Congenital heart disease
- Chronic lung disease
For More Information Contact:
330-627-4866 ext 1534