What is CMH?
CMH, Children with Medical Handicaps, (formerly known as BCMH) is a health care program through the Ohio Department of Health. CMH links families of children with special needs to a network of quality providers and helps families pay for services their child needs.
CMH supports the medical home for children with special health care needs. A medical home is a way to provide high quality health care that is:
- Family-centered
- Accessible
- Continuous
- Comprehensive
- Coordinated
- Compassionate
- Culturally competent
Most importantly, a medical home is a partnership between the doctor and the child’s family. CMH works with doctors and other health care providers to ensure that every child with a special health care need will have a medical home.
How can CMH help?
CMH has three programs to help children with special health care needs. All services must be given by CMH-approved providers.
The Diagnostic Program
Children can receive services for three months, from CMH-approved providers, to rule out or diagnose a special health care need or establish a plan of treatment.
Financial eligibility is not required for the Diagnostic Program.
The applicant must:
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Be under the age of 21
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Be a resident of Ohio
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Be under the care of a CMH-approved physician
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Have a suspected special health care need
Enrollment
A CMH-approved doctor (MD or DO) must apply to CMH. The parent, legal guardian or client (if 18 years of age or older) must sign the Medical Application Form or the Release of Information and Consent before the case can be started. A public health nurse can also begin the process by referring the child to a CMH-approved doctor.
The Treatment Program
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. Treatment services may include:
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Laboratory tests and X-rays
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Physician visits
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Prescription medications
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Therapies
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Medical equipment and supplies
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Surgeries and hospitalizations
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Service coordination
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Public Health nurse services
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.
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The applicant must:
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Be under the age of 21
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Be a resident of Ohio
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Be under the care of a CMH-approved physician
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Have an eligible medical handicap
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The family must be financially eligible
Enrollment
A CMH-approved doctor (MD or DO) who will manage the child’s care must apply to CMH. The parent, legal guardian or client (if 18 years of age or older) must sign the Medical Application Form or the Release of Information and Consent before the case can be started. The parent or legal guardian must complete the forms in the income-eligibility packet they receive from CMH and return all required information to CMH. These documents are used to determine financial eligibility.
The Service Coordination Program
The Service Coordination 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.
The applicant must:
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Be under the age of 21
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Be a resident of Ohio
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Be under the care of a recognized specialty team that is approved by BCMH to provide service coordination
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Have on file at CMH a service coordination application submitted by an approved team service coordinator. The application must also contain the signature of the parent/guardian for any applicant less than 18 years of age. CMH requires the signature of the applicant if he/she is 18 to 21 years of age. Documentation must be provided if there is legal guardianship of an individual 18 to 21 years of age
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There are no financial eligibility criteria
Enrollment Process
The team service coordinator must send a Medical Application Form to CMH. The parent/legal guardian or the applicant that is 18 to 21 years of age must sign the Medical Application Form or the Release of Information and Consent before the application can be started.
How is a child enrolled in the CMH program?
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The child’s CMH-approved doctor (M.D. or D.O.) sends a Medical Application Form to CMH
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A Public Health nurse can start the application process by referring families to CMH-approved doctors
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The parent or legal guardian (or client, if 18 years of age or older) must sign the release of information and consent on the application form before CMH can act on the application
How can families learn more about CMH?
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Public Health nurses at the Morgan County Health Department can help families learn more about CMH. You may contact them at
(740) 962-4572
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Parents may also call the toll-free number, 1-800-755-4769, and follow the instructions to reach CMH
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Anyone may call CMH at (614) 466-1700 or email: [email protected]
For more information, please call the Morgan County Health Department 740-962-4572
For Additional Information
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CMH Website
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/children-with-medical-handicaps/welcome-to
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CMH Brochure
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/790e4b2c-a455-478f-a454-dfab2437769b/BCMH-NEW- brochure-7-27-18.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_M1HGGIK0N0JO00QO9DDDDM3000-790e4b2c-a455-478f-a454-dfab2437769b-mrQ3pzi
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CMH Forms
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/children-with-medical-handicaps/forms
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Children with Medical Handicaps (CMH) Provider Directory