Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) is a program that helps children with certain health conditions have better health and quality of life. CSHCS offers medical care and treatment assistance for children with chronic, severe, disabling health problems. This program also provides service coordination to meet child and family needs. 

CSHCS covers most out of pocket costs for care given by a specialty clinic for the covered condition and is available to families of all income levels with any type of insurance. Nurse case managers and social workers provide family centered care using their knowledge of community resources and can assist you in many ways.

What does enrollment in CSHCS offer?

• Helps pay for visits to specialists.
• May help pay for specialized equipment such as wheelchairs when they relate to the CSHCS qualifying medical condition.
• May help pay for medications when they relate to the CSHCS qualifying medical condition.
• Coordination of services and assistance with finding community resources.
• May assist with travel and lodging expenses relating to treatment. and care for the CSHCS qualifying medical diagnosis.
• May help to pay medical bills for a child who has recently died.

What does CSHCS not pay for?

• CSHCS does not cover primary care, well-child care, mental health needs, or experimental health care.
• CSHCS does not provide assistance with incontinence supplies. Incontinence supplies may be a benefit of Medicaid coverage. Contact your DHHS caseworker for more information.

Eligibility for CSHCS

Eligibility is determined by a medical physical diagnosis. This does not include developmental, behavioral or intellectual conditions. Severity, chronicity of the condition and the need for treatment is evaluated by a MDHHS medical consultant.

There are more than 2,700 medical diagnoses that CSHCS may cover. Eligibility is also impacted by:

1. Residency: a person must be a Michigan resident to receive CSHCS.
2. Citizenship: U.S. citizens and some non-citizens may qualify for CSHCS coverage. Citizenship restrictions do not apply to migrant farm worker families.
3. Age: Most CSHCS services are open to individuals 26 years old and younger. Adults with sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis and certain blood clotting disorders over the age of 26 may be eligible for the program.

Eligibility is based on the child's diagnosis, severity, and treatment plan—NOT income. Many families with CSHCS coverage have private insurance. CSHCS provides additional help to these families. There is a cost for the program determined by a sliding fee scale (in other words, the fee is determined by your income). This fee is waived if the individual applying qualifies for Medicaid or MIChild.

How can I find out if we are eligible for CSHCS?

If you feel your child may qualify, please contact us to see how we can help! Contact Heather Parks, RN, BSN.

If you are outside of Washtenaw County, please call the CSHCS Family Phone Line at 1-800-359-3722.

More Information

Your CSHCS local nurse case manager can:

• Share information on local resources that may help fill unmet medical and non-medical needs for your family.
• Create a plan of care for your child as a tool to help in the care of your child.
• Complete a transition assessment and create an action plan for your teen as they near adulthood to help plan for their future.
• Help determine if other conditions your child has can be covered.

What is the benefit of CSHCS for children who have Medicaid?

• CSHCS will step in to pay for healthcare for the eligible health condition if Medicaid coverage is interrupted.
• You will have access to a CSHCS local nurse case manager.

What is the cost to enroll in CSHCS?

• The fee is based upon family size and income.
• The annual fee is often less than the out-of-pocket costs for care without CSHCS.
• The program is free for foster children or children on Medicaid.