The mission of the Children with Medical Handicaps (CMH) - formerly known as BCMH - is to assure, through the development and support of high quality coordinated systems, that children with special health care needs and their families obtain comprehensive care and services which are family-centered, community-based, and culturally competent.
What CMH can do for families?
- Children with special health care needs are linked to specialty physicians for care.
- CMH then helps families obtain payment for needed health services for these special health care needs.
- Think of it as a “safety net” health care program – covering your medical bills as a private insurance or the medical card would – CMH covers remaining costs after these two insurances have paid and also may cover services that they do not cover at all.
- A public health nurse from Knox Public Health manages your coverage and assists you with all your needs and concerns – including applying for coverage, renewal, locating CMH physicians, getting special services approved for coverage, routine home visits and health assessments, and anything else you might need related to your CMH coverage.
What programs does CMH offer?
- Diagnostic – Short-term coverage (9 months) to diagnose or rule out a chronic medical condition, or to establish a plan of treatment for the qualifying chronic medical condition
- Treatment – Long-term coverage to manage a chronic medical condition until the age of 24 (as of July 1, 2023).
- Cost Share - Coverage for over-income families who might have limited insurance or a high deductible. Once the cost share is met, CMH can approve payment for treatment. The family’s own health insurance whether private or Medicaid is always the primary insurance, but CMH can save families thousands in deductible costs and co-payments. CMH is a combined program with Medicaid, but families can qualify for CMH treatment or cost share with a higher income.
Who is eligible?
For the Diagnostic Program
- Children birth to 21 years of age
- Permanent resident of Ohio with intent to remain in the State
- Under the care of a CMH-credentialed physician
- Have a possible chronic medical condition to be diagnosed or ruled-out
- There is NO financial requirement
For the Treatment Program
- Diagnosed with an eligible chronic medical condition
- As of July 1, 2023 - Birth to 24 years of age
- Permanent resident of Ohio with intent to remain in the State
- Under the care of a CMH-credentialed physician
- Meets financial criteria (income requirements)
For the Cost Share Program
- Diagnosed with an eligible chronic medical condition
- Permanent resident of Ohio with intent to remain in the State
- Under the care of a CMH-credentialed physician
- Exceeds financial criteria (income requirements). CMH will determine deductible.
Forms
Application Forms: