BCMH (Children With Medical Handicaps)
BCMH is a program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health that assists Preble County families with children who have special needs.
If a child is determined to have a qualifying disability and the parents meet income guidelines, then a treatment program is started. BCMH is a tax-supported program of the Ohio Department of Health that helps children with special health care needs, and their families. The program assists families in obtaining services to diagnose a potential handicapping condition (the Diagnostic Program) and assists with ongoing services for children with an eligible medical handicap (the Treatment Program). For both the diagnostic and treatment programs, children must be under the age of 21, live in Ohio, be a permanent U.S. resident, and be under the care of a BCMH-approved physician.
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The Diagnostic Program assists families in obtaining an evaluation of a potentially handicapping condition regardless of the family’s income.
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The Treatment Program is for children who have been diagnosed as having an eligible medically handicapping condition.
Families must meet financial eligibility guidelines. Some examples of eligible conditions are: Chronic Pulmonary Disease, Diabetes, Juvenile Arthritis, Cystic Fibrosis, Cancer, Cleft Lip/Palate, Cerebral Palsy, Hemophilia, Spina Bifida, Hearing Loss, Heart Defects and Seizure disorders. Families or agencies may apply to BCMH by contacting a public health nurse at (937) 472-0087, the child’s physician, or the BCMH office at the Ohio Department of Health.
Parents may call toll free to 1-800 755-GROW (4769).