Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps

    Do you have a child with special needs?  BCMH, a state provided program, may be able to help you.  The program can help families locate and coordinate services, link families with care, link families with care providers, and may help pay for medical care of eligible children with medical disabilities.

    Although BCMH provides a wide range of services, it is important to remember that this program does not cover all the services a child with a handicap may need, nor are all services eligible for every diagnosis.

    BCMH families and providers must use Medicaid or private health insurance, if available, before depending on BCMH as a source of payment.

    Examples of possible services are:

•   diagnostic consultation for a handicapping condition
•   hearing aids
•   special shoes
•   lab and x-rays
•   surgeries
•   prescription medications

    Eligible conditions are those that are chronic and physically handicapping and can be treated.  Some examples of conditions are:

•   diabetes
•   cerebral palsy
•   hearing loss
•   cystic fibrosis
•   scoliosis
•   spina bifida
•   heart defect
•   cleft palate
•   juvenile arthritis

    Care must be given by a BCMH approved provider within Ohio.

    For a child to receive coverage of treatment services, the family must be financially eligible.  Financial eligibility is based on the needs of the child and the adjusted gross income of the family.  Middle income families with children who need expensive services, like surgeries or costly medications, may still be eligible.

    The Williams County Health Department works closely with BCMH to identify needs and link families with these services.  Public health nurses make home visits to help families obtain and coordinate services and can advocate for the family.

    Locally there is a specialty clinic funded by the BCMH program:   POD (hearing) clinic.  Call the health department for more information.