Children with Medical Handicaps
About the CMH Program
The Children with Medical Handicaps (CMH) Program is a health care program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health.
The CMH program links families of children with special health care needs to a network of quality providers and helps families obtain payment for the services their children need.
The CMH mission 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 that are family centered, community based, and culturally sensitive.
Want to learn more about CMH?
Call 740-342-5179, option 2Program Details
Which children may be eligible for CMH?
Those who:
- Are age 0–23
- Are permanent residents of Ohio
- Have or may have a chronic medical condition
What conditions are eligible for CMH?
Some of the eligible conditions are:
- AIDS
- Cancer
- Cerebral palsy
- Cleft lip / palate
- Chronic lung disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Hearing loss
- Hemophilia
- Juvenile arthritis
- Metabolic disorders
- Scoliosis
- Severe vision disturbances
- Sickle cell disease
- Spina bifida
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.
Diagnostic Program
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
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.
- Laboratory tests and x-rays
- Physician visits
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Surgeries and hospitalizations
- Public health nursing services
- Therapies
- Service coordination
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 23.
Service Coordination Program
This program helps families locate and coordinate services for their child. It 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.
How can families learn more about CMH?
- Call the Perry County Health Department at 740-342-5179, option 2.
- Visit the Ohio Department of Health CMH program — opens in a new tab, leaves this website.