Children’s Medical Services (CMS)
Children’s Medical Services (CMS)
Children’s Medical Services (CMS) is a statewide program that supports children, youth and young adults (birth – 21) with special health care needs and their families. CMS provides assistance to eligible families and young adults with accessing timely and affordable health care services as well as needed resources within their communities.
CMS works with the child and young adult’s primary and specialty medical specialists to provide or coordinate for:
- Appointments with a Medical Specialist
- Medications and Supplies
- Diagnostic Testing
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Genetic Counseling
- Care Coordination by specially trained registered nurses or social workers
Program details
The Children’s Medical Services program supports improved health and wellness for children and youth with special health care needs from birth to 21 years of age. It provides early and continuous screening for children with special health care needs and connects children and youth to a medical home and adequate health insurance.
The program also helps families manage their appointments and follow-up treatments with healthcare providers and vendors, and provides information for youth, families, and health care professionals on resources and information to support youth and young adults to successfully move from pediatric to adult care.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the Children’s Medical Services program is based on the medical condition and annual family income. Must live in Georgia to be eligible.
Examples of eligible medical conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other lung disorders
- Some hearing disorders
- Neurological and neurosurgery disorders including seizures, benign tumors, hydrocephalus, and others
- Orthopedic and/or neuromuscular disorders including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, scoliosis, clubfeet, congenital or traumatic amputations of limbs, and others
- Visual disorders including cataracts, glaucoma, strabismus, and others
- Diabetes and other endocrine and genetic disorders
- Craniofacial anomalies (including cleft lip/palate)
- Congenital cardiac conditions
Resources
Family Resource Guide
The family resource guide for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYCHCN) provides links and telephone numbers to community organizations, practices, and programs that can help with assistive technology, dental services, diapers and incontinence supplies, durable medical equipment, food assistance, funding and insurance and more.
Updated February, 2025.
Parent to Parent of Georgia
Provide services to children and youth with disabilities and their families. Services include an on-line data base of various resources locally, educational trainings for parents and parent support program.
Web: http://p2pga.org
Special Needs Database: https://dd0000000fam7eam.my.salesforce-sites.com/Provider
Call: 1-800-229-2038
Healthy Mother’s Healthy
Babies Coalition of Georgia
Babies Coalition of Georgia
Provide services to expectant families. Services include prenatal education and resources to expectant mothers, breastfeeding support and education, and assistance with accessing health insurance.
Web: http://hmhbga.org/
Healthy Mother’s Healthy Babies Portal: https://www.resourcehouse.com/hmhb/
Find Help Georgia
Provides local resources for individuals and families. Resources include financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, help to pay for childcare, job training and other free or low-cost services.
Web: http://www.FindHelpGA.org
Call: 1-800-244-5373 Monday to Friday 8AM to 6PM.
Help Me Grow Georgia
Provides healthcare referrals to families with children from birth to 8 years old. Referrals include linkages to medical, vision and dental providers, developmental screenings, daycare providers, early learning resources as well as behavioral services.
Web: https://hmhbga.org/help-me-grow-georgia
Call: (888) HLP-GROW (888-457-4769). Monday to Friday 8AM to 5PM.
American Academy of Pediatrics – GA Chapter
The official website of the American Academy of Pediatrics for parents on accurate, trusted and up-to-date information on issues regarding infants, children and adolescents.
GA Department of Public Health Information for Transitioning from Youth to Adult Care
Provides information for youth, families and health care professionals on resources and information to support youth and young adults to successfully move from pediatric to adult care.
QUESTIONS?
For more information about eligibility, services provided and enrollment into Children’s Medical Services please call:
770.339.5048