Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

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Get ready to apply

Maryland Department of Health

Children’s Medical Services Program

What you get

Help with hospitalizations, laboratory work, medical equipment and supplies, medications, specialist visits, surgeries, therapies and x-rays. Open now.

Who starts it
You, with a letter from your doctor
How it’s sent
Online, on their website
Your time
About 15 minutes, plus waiting for the letter
Last checked
Aug 27, 2026

Before you start, check you fit

  • Your child is 21 or under.
  • Several routine and nonmedical services are excluded.
  • The illness must require specialty care and satisfy current CMS review.

  1. Ask your doctor for the letterStart here. This is the part that takes the longest.

    Maryland Department of Health needs a letter from your doctor. It has to cover 3 things. Copy this message, or say it in person at the next visit.

    Hi [doctor’s name],

We’d like to apply to Maryland Department of Health’s Children’s Medical Services Program. They offer help with hospitalizations, laboratory work, medical equipment and supplies, medications, specialist visits, surgeries, therapies and x-rays, and they are taking applications now.

They need a letter from you. It has to cover service needing authorization, planned service date, and 10-business-day processing time. Their form and instructions are here: https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/cyshcn/Pages/CMS_Program.aspx

Could you write that when you have a chance? I can send you the link, or bring a printout to our next visit. Thank you for everything you do for us.

[your name] · [phone]
    Copying is the only thing this page does with your text. Nothing is saved.

  2. Fill in their applicationIt is on their website.

    Open their application ↗ Checked Aug 27, 2026

    What the form asks for

    They don’t publish the questions in advance. Have your contact details, your child’s diagnosis and date, and the hospital’s name to hand.

  3. Submit it on their websiteSend the letter with your application, or the way they ask.

    • Submit new and renewal applications only through the CMS Patient Portal.

After you send

Separately confirm provider pre-authorization before service. If you have not heard back in two weeks, write and ask whether it arrived.

Full record, as published