Health Insurance and Benefits Library . . .

Children with Special Needs

• Children with Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCN)
• Early Intervention
• Medicaid Waiver Programs

Children with Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCN)

Under the CSHCN program, New York State offers support services for children with special needs and their families, including information and referral services and two financial assistance programs:

• CSHCN Information & Referral Services.
  A statewide information and referral service for children with special needs and their families. Services are offered through local health department offices. To find a local office, call the New York State Department of Health's Growing Up Healthy Hotline at (800) 522-5006.
• Physically Handicapped Children's Program (PHCP).
  Provides physically handicapped children (age 21 and under) and their families with assistance covering diagnosis-related costs, regardless of whether the child is insured. Includes assistance with copayments, deductibles, equipment and supplies, prescription drugs, surgery, and hospital visits. Coverage and eligibility (medical and financial) vary by county.

  Dental Rehabilitation Program. A component of PHCP that provides financial assistance for children with severe malocclusions.

Early Intervention

A statewide government program for infants and toddlers (birth up to age 3) that offers free screenings and services to children suspected of having a developmental delay or disability. Delays may be in the following areas: cognitive, physical, communication, social/emotional, and/or adaptive.

• New York State Dep't of Health - Early Intervention Program.
  Provides information on New York State's Early Intervention Program, including eligibility requirements. Please call your county's Early Intervention program for further program information. For county phone numbers, click here. For New York State's Growing up Healthy hotline, please call (800)522-5006 (available 24/7).
• NYC Dep't of Health and Mental Hygiene - Early Intervention.
  Provides information on the New York City Early Intervention Program, including eligibility guidelines and services provided. In New York City, please call 311.

Medicaid Waiver Programs

Medicaid Waiver programs cover home and community-based services for children with severe and complex health care needs. Services covered by Medicaid Waivers are not normally covered by traditional Medicaid, and several programs do not consider family income for eligibility.

NYC Residents: Referrals for the following programs (except for Long-Term Home Health Care) are accepted by the Bridges to Health (B2H) unit at ACS. For more information, please click here.

• For Developmentally Disabled Children (OPWDD).
  This "Care at Home" Waiver provides services for children from birth to age 21 who require more complex health care treatment for developmental, physical, behavioral, or emotional disabilities. This waiver covers services not normally covered by Medicaid, such as case management, respite, home adaptations and vehicle modification. Family income is not considered for eligibility.
  To Apply: Contact a Care at Home Coordinator at a local Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO). To find a local DDSO office, click here or call the OPWDD Information Line at (866) 946-9733 / TTY: (866) 933-4889.
• For Physically Disabled Children.
  This "Care at Home" Waiver provides community-based care for children ages 18 and under who have physical disabilities and would otherwise require a level of care received at a hospital or skilled nursing facility. The child's family's income may not be considered for eligibility.
  To Apply: Contact a Care at Home Coordinator at a local Department of Social Services (DSS). To find a local DSS office, click here or call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at (800) 522-5006. NYC residents may call 311.
• For Children and Adolescents with Serious Emotional Disturbances.
  This "Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)" Waiver provides children ages 5-17 who have serious emotional disabilities with services at home and in the community to avoid inpatient treatment. Family income is not considered for eligibility.
  To Apply: Contact a local provider agency to apply. For a list of providers in New York State, click here. Individuals in New York City may contact Children's Single Point of Access (CSPOA) at (888) CSPOA-58.

• Long-Term Home Health Care Program (HCBS/LTHHCP).
  This HCBS Waiver offers home care services for individuals as an alternative to nursing home care. Individuals must be medically and financially eligible.
  To Apply: Contact a Care at Home Coordinator at a local Department of Social Services (DSS). To find a local DSS office, click here or call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at (800) 522-5006. NYC residents may call 311.