Children Special Health Care Services (CSHCS)

Child LaughingCSHCS strives to enable individuals with special health care needs to have improved health outcomes and an enhanced quality of life through the appropriate use of the CSHCS system of care.

Goals

  • Assist individuals with special health care needs in accessing the broadest possible range of appropriate medical care, health education and supports.
  • Assure delivery of these services and supports in an accessible, family centered, culturally competent, community-based and coordinated manner.
  • Promote and incorporate parent/professional collaboration in all aspects of the program.
  • Remove barriers that prevent individuals with special health care needs from achieving these goals.

Services Provided

  • Pays for specialty medical bills
  • Provides help finding specialty services
  • Supports coordination of services
  • Helps families with language and cultural differences
  • Assists in locating resources
  • Connects families to community-based services through local health departments

CSHCS knows that the family is the principle caregiver and the center of strength and support for children. Therefore, CSHCS and providers partner with the family for the best care. CSHCS may be able to help with:

  • Learning about the CSHCS condition and specialty providers like doctors, hospitals, and clinics
  • Paying specialty medical bills
  • Covering co-pays and deductibles from private insurance
  • Helping to keep private insurance
  • Transportation needs for medical care
  • Planning the transition of young people to adult health care

Eligibility

  • Children and some adults with certain eligible medical conditions as determined by CSHCS doctors.
  • Families of all incomes are eligible to join, including those with other health insurance
  • Some families, based on their income, pay a fee to join CSHCS To determine what CSHCS is likely to cover and whether this fee to join will be worthwhile, call the CSHCS contact at 269-927-5679 or 269-927-5620.

Application Process

  • Have the patient's specialist send a medical report to CSHCS
  • If there is not specialist yet, call the local program representative at 269-927-5620.
  • A CSHCS doctor will review the medical report and decide if the patient qualifies for CSHCS
  • If the patient is eligible, an application will be mailed to the patient/family.
  • When the application is received, the patient or family must complete and return the application to CSHCS Coverage cannot begin until the application is completed and returned to CSHCS
  • Those needing help completing the application can call the Family Phone Line at 800-359-3722.
  • Review the Family Rights and Responsibilities (PDF).

Additional Assistance

The Family Center for Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs

This is a parent-directed section of CSHCS. Some services include:

  • Advising CSHCS from the family prospective
  • Conference scholarships
  • Family Phone Line: 800-359-3722
  • Grandparent resources
  • Parent-to-Parent support
  • Sibling workshops

For more information, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website.

The Children With Special Needs Fund

A donor-supported program within CSHCS that may help families buy certain equipment such as:

  • Air conditioners
  • Therapeutic tricycles
  • Van lifts
  • Wheelchair ramps

For more information visit the Children With Special Needs Fund website or contact the Family Center at 800-359-3722.

Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center

Resources, information, and education for children and youth with special health care needs, the families who love them and the professionals who support them is provided by the Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center.

Lakeland HealthCare Special Needs Services

For information on this service, visit the Lakeland Health website.

MI-Child Health Insurance

For some families, part of the CSHCS enrollment process requires submission of an application for MI-Child Health Insurance. You will need to submit a completed form within three months of enrollment in CSHCS This requirement includes families who already have private health insurance for their child. Online and paper applications are available from the Michigan Department of Community Health. 

Location of Services

  • 2149 E Napier
    Benton Harbor
  • 1205 N Front Street
    Niles, MI
  • In home visits

CSHCS Contacts

  • Nurse Coordinator: 269-927-5679
  • Program Representative: 269-927-5620

For more information visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website or contact us at 269-927-5620.