CHKD Care Connection for Children - Frequently Asked Questions
Click the questions to view the answer.
- What services are available through Care Connection for Children?
Answer:
The Care Connection for Children provides a wide range of medical and support services for children with special health care needs and their families. The program strives to coordinate services among the different providers your child may need. Our objective is to achieve the best outcome possible for their special needs children.
In general, patients and their families can expect these services:
- Access to medical specialty care.
- Ongoing help in coordinating specialty care and accessing services.
- Assistance in obtaining health insurance.
- Help with understanding and using their health insurance benefits.
- Information about and referral to community resources.
- Help communicating with schools, payers, providers and community services.
- Help determining eligibility for access to a "pool of funds" to pay for those services not covered by the child's insurance, such as medical equipment, physical therapy and medication.
- What are the eligibility requirements?
Answer:
All Virginia's special needs children are eligible for care coordination services from the Care Connection for Children. Financial assistance may be available to children who meet the following medical and income requirements:
- Children under age 21 who have a chronic physical condition that requires health and related services of a type and amount not usually required by children of the same age.
- Families must have income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
- How do we apply for services?
Answer:
Parents or any of the child's health care providers can call (757) 668-7132 or 1-(800)-864-8903 or stop by the Care Connection for Children at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, 601 Children's Lane in Norfolk.
- How do we pay for services?
Answer:
If you have private insurance, Medicaid or belong to the state's Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) Plan, the policy's benefits will be used first. Staff will explore other public and private sources of payment after insurance benefits are exhausted. Financial assistance may be available to families whose income is at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level. These children may be eligible to receive help in paying for items such as medical equipment and medications.
- Can I meet other families in my situation?
Answer:
The Care Connection for Children program has developed a family-to-family support system that enables family members and their children to interact with each other and learn how they handle common problems. This interaction happens either in group meetings or through personal contact.
- Will we have to change doctors?
Answer:
You won't have to change health care providers. The staff will work with your current provider or help you select one, if you so choose. Staff also will coordinate the efforts of your primary care and specialty doctors and other resources in the area to ensure your child gets the care he or she needs.