When your child is diagnosed with a medical handicap, the experience can be overwhelming. Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to find treatment and support. The Tuscarawas County Health Department is available to help parents find answers. The Children with Medical Handicaps (CMH) Program, a health care program in the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), links families of children with special needs to a network of quality providers and helps families obtain payment for the services their child needs.
This is Public Health is brought to you in partnership with the Tuscarawas County Health Department.
Children with Medical Handicaps (CMH) Program Basics
CMH is a state-administered program that operates within the Ohio Department of Health. CMH has two major programs to help children with special health care needs that the Tuscarawas County Health Department can assist with:
Diagnosis
Can help parents/guardians determine what illness their child might have. These services include:
- Tests and X rays
- Physician services
- Therapy evaluations
- Hospital stays
Treatment
Children can receive services for treatment of an eligible condition up to age 25. These services include:
- Additional testing
- Physician Services
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Surgeries and Hospitalizations
The TCHD can help to determine whether families qualify for support through the CMH. In order to qualify, the following criteria must be met:
- Children ages 0-23 diagnosed with or exhibiting symptoms of a medical handicap such as
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic Lung Disease
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Hearing Loss
- Hemophilia
- Juvenile Arthritis
- Metabolic Disorders
- Scoliosis
- Spina Bifida
- Permanent residents of Ohio
- Under the care of a CMH-approved doctor (M.D. or D.O.)
- Some financial eligibility requirements for the treatment program only
Once enrolled, the program includes:
- Conducting quality assurance activities to establish standards of care and to determine unmet needs of children with handicaps and their families
- Funding services for the diagnosis and treatment of medically eligible conditions
- Collaborating with public health nurses and local health departments to assist in increasing access to care
- Supporting service coordination for children with selected diagnoses; and assisting families to access and utilize appropriate sources of payment for services for their child.
Not Sure if You Qualify, but Interested in Learning More?
The Tuscarawas County Health Department understands that when your child is experiencing health issues, it can be confusing, as well as an emotional and financial struggle. They can help by making the enrollment process simple for families.
Many families do not realize that they may qualify for assistance through CMH, even if they have health insurance. It’s important to check in with TCHD so that you do not miss out on this support for your child and family.
The easiest way to get the process started is to contact Misti, Public Health Nurse, at the The Tuscarawas County Health Department. She can help determine your eligibility and fill out and sign the medical application form.
If you are interested in learning more or have questions, call Misti Giumenti, Public Health Nurse, at 330-343-5555 ext. 1240
