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For Special Children...

Indiana Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) provides supplemental medical coverage to help families of children who have serious, chronic medical conditions, age birth to 21 years of age, who meet the program’s financial and medical criteria, pay for treatment related to their child’s condition.

Children's Special Health Care Services Brochure in English and Spanish.

Click here for the Fact Sheet.

Financial Eligibility

A family with an income, before taxes, no greater than 250% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for the program.   The financial level changes every year.  For example, in 2008, a family of four could qualify with a gross income of up to $53,000.

Medical Eligibility

Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) is a program to help Indiana children with severe chronic medical conditions which:

  • Have lasted (or are expected to last) at least two years;
  • Will produce disability, disfigurement, or limits the child’s ability to function;
  • Requires special diet or devices; or
  • Without treatment would produce a chronic disabling physical condition.

Some of the physical conditions which may qualify a child for services from CSHCS include:

  • Apnea
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma-Severe, 2 medications daily
  • Autism
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Chronic Anemia (e.g. Sickle Cell)
  • Chromosomal Disorders
  • Chronic Pulmonary Disease
  • Cleft Lip and/or Palate
  • Congenital Heart Disease or Arrhythmias
  • Cystic Fibrosis (life time medical eligibility)
  • Endocrine Deficiencies (e.g. Diabetics)
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Inborn Errors of Metabolism (e.g. PKU)
  • Myelodysplasia or Spinal cord Dysfunction (e.g. Spina Bifida)
  • Neuromuscular Dysfunction
  • Oncologic Disorders (e.g. Cancer)
  • Profound Bilateral Hearing Loss
  • Renal Disease
  • Seizure Disorder
  • Severe Hemophilia

    What services are available?

    For eligible applicants, services may include:

    • Diagnostic evaluations
    • Comprehensive well child and sick child care
    • Specialty care and other services related to the eligible medical conditions
    • Immunizations
    • Prescription drugs
    • Routine dental care
    • Community referrals and information

    How Do You Apply?

    You may contact your local county Office of Family and Children, First Steps Agency, or Riley Hospital.

    To complete the application, you'll need to bring these documents:

    • Your child's birth certificate
    • Proof of residence (rent or property payment receipt, voter's registration, driver's license, last year's federal income tax return, or city directory listing)
    • Health insurance information
    • Proof for all household members income (three consecutive current paycheck stubs or recent federal income tax forms)

    Important items to remember:

    • All primary insurance policies must be followed before CSHCS will consider payment.
    • All insurance must be used first
    • All equipment, supplies, therapy, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits must be directly related to the eligible medical condition and must be authorized.
    • Medical and financial eligibility will be reevaluated annually.

    Contact CSHCS Eligibility Section at 1-800-475-1355 with any questions regarding enrollment.