Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps

What is BCMH? It is a program sponsored by the Ohio Dept. of Health. This program assists Licking County families with children who have special needs. Diagnostic services are available to any child until age 21. 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. The Diagnostic Program assists families in obtaining an evaluation of a potentially handicapping condition regardless of the family’s income. 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

Seizure disorders

Examples of BCMH assisted services

Office visits to physicians

X-ray and lab

Physical therapy

Prescription Medicines

Dental Care

Surgery

Hearing Aids

Medical Supplies

Hospitalization

Public Health Nursing Services

Home visits

Service coordination

Health assessment and education

Developmental screening

Advocacy and referral to appropriate health care providers

Medical Nutrition Services

Assessment nutrition counseling

Special formula assistance

Follow-up and monitoring

Referrals to appropriate services

To Apply

Families or agencies may apply to BCMH by contacting a public health nurse at (740) 349-6535, 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). Click here for more information about BCMH from the Ohio Department of Health. Call (740) 349-6535 or e-mail BCMH@lickingcohealth.org for more information.

Other Programs for Pregnant Women

WIC - Women, Infant, and Children supplemental nutrition program

Early Head Start - Home visiting and parenting program for families with children birth to 3 years old.

Help Me Grow - Home visiting and parenting program from pregnancy until the child turns 3 years old.

 

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