Children's Special Health Care Services

logo for the Children's Special Health Care Services program

General Information

Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) is a program within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. It is for children and some adults with special health care needs and their families. 

CSHCS helps persons with chronic health problems by providing:

  • Coverage and referral for specialty services, based on the person's health problems.
  • Family centered services to support you in your role as primary  caretaker of your child.
  • Community-based services to help you care for your child at home and maintain normal routines.
  • Culturally competent services which demonstrate awareness of cultural differences.
  • Coordinated services to pull together the services of many different providers who work within different agencies.

To learn more about CSHCS, take the free Department of Health and Human Services on-line courses entitled "What is Children's Special Health Care Services." At this same site you will find another course entitled "CSHCS-Support Parent Training Course."

Who Can Enroll

Children under the age of 21 with a qualifying condition. Click here for a list of eligible diagnoses. Severity and chronicity of the condition are considered as well as the need for treatment by a specialist as evaluated by a MDHHS medical consultant.

NOTE: CSHCS does not cover developmental, behavioral or intellectual conditions. 

Persons age 21 and above with cystic fibrosis, hereditary coagulation defects commonly known as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease, or hereditary red blood cell disorders commonly known as sickle cell disease may also qualify.

Enrollment Fee

There is a yearly fee to join CSHCS:

  • This fee is waived if the client has Medicaid, MIChild, a court-appointed guardian or lives in a foster home.
  • The fee is determined on a scale based upon family income and family size.
  • Please see the Payment Agreement Guide for details.

 CSHCS clients who have a payment agreement obligation can now make online payments at the pay place via credit card or e-check options.

How to Apply

The first step in the application process is determining if your child is medically eligible. Your child’s specialist must submit a medical record less than one year old. This record should information that fully describes the condition and treatment plan. Your specialist will need permission to send the medical information to CSHCS.  Click here for an Authorization to Disclose Protected Health Information form.

If your child is found to be medically eligible, you will receive an application for enrollment and an Income Review / Payment Agreement form. 

Need Help Applying/Have Questions

We would be happy to help. Please call our local CSHCS office at 231-724-6209 or send us an email to CSHCS@co.muskegon.mi.us.

You can also contact the Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs / Family Phone Line by calling 800-359-3722 or visiting the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services CSHCS web page.