Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Children’s Special Health Care Services · About this organization
What you get
Help with authorized treatment related to the qualifying diagnosis, potential lodging and meal assistance when your child is hospitalized away from home, and qualifying transportation to medical appointments.
How to start
Your social worker starts the request. Give them proof of income.
Good to know
- Services must relate to the qualifying diagnosis and use authorized providers.
The details, as published
Michigan Children’s Special Health Care Services pays authorized treatment related to a qualifying diagnosis and may help with transportation or family lodging when care is away from home. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is explicitly listed as an eligible diagnosis. A Michigan family applies through its local CSHCS office and the child’s specialist submits recent medical documentation; household income does not determine medical eligibility, although a sliding annual fee may apply unless waived.
What help you may get
Household Bills And Cash Assistance
Children’s Special Health Care Services — household bills and cash assistance
Michigan Children’s Special Health Care Services pays authorized treatment related to a qualifying diagnosis and may help with transportation or family lodging when care is away from home. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is explicitly listed as an eligible diagnosis. A Michigan family applies through its local CSHCS office and the child’s specialist submits recent medical documentation; household income does not determine medical eligibility, although a sliding annual fee may apply unless waived.
Amount not published
Can cover
- Authorized treatment related to the qualifying diagnosis
- Potential lodging and meal assistance when the child is hospitalized away from home
- Qualifying transportation to medical appointments
Does not cover
- Bills already paid by the family
- Care unrelated to the qualifying diagnosis
- Out-of-state care without required prior approval
- Unauthorized providers or services
- No universal dollar maximum is published; services must be authorized and related to the qualifying diagnosis.
- Coverage continues while the child remains medically and administratively eligible; the diagnosis list assigns medical-review periods.
Lodging Near Treatment
Children’s Special Health Care Services — lodging near treatment
Michigan Children’s Special Health Care Services pays authorized treatment related to a qualifying diagnosis and may help with transportation or family lodging when care is away from home. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is explicitly listed as an eligible diagnosis. A Michigan family applies through its local CSHCS office and the child’s specialist submits recent medical documentation; household income does not determine medical eligibility, although a sliding annual fee may apply unless waived.
Amount not published
Can cover
- Authorized treatment related to the qualifying diagnosis
- Potential lodging and meal assistance when the child is hospitalized away from home
- Qualifying transportation to medical appointments
Does not cover
- Bills already paid by the family
- Care unrelated to the qualifying diagnosis
- Out-of-state care without required prior approval
- Unauthorized providers or services
- No universal dollar maximum is published; services must be authorized and related to the qualifying diagnosis.
- Coverage continues while the child remains medically and administratively eligible; the diagnosis list assigns medical-review periods.
Meals And Food
Children’s Special Health Care Services — meals and food
Michigan Children’s Special Health Care Services pays authorized treatment related to a qualifying diagnosis and may help with transportation or family lodging when care is away from home. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is explicitly listed as an eligible diagnosis. A Michigan family applies through its local CSHCS office and the child’s specialist submits recent medical documentation; household income does not determine medical eligibility, although a sliding annual fee may apply unless waived.
Amount not published
Can cover
- Authorized treatment related to the qualifying diagnosis
- Potential lodging and meal assistance when the child is hospitalized away from home
- Qualifying transportation to medical appointments
Does not cover
- Bills already paid by the family
- Care unrelated to the qualifying diagnosis
- Out-of-state care without required prior approval
- Unauthorized providers or services
- No universal dollar maximum is published; services must be authorized and related to the qualifying diagnosis.
- Coverage continues while the child remains medically and administratively eligible; the diagnosis list assigns medical-review periods.
Medical And Insurance Costs
Children’s Special Health Care Services — medical and insurance costs
Michigan Children’s Special Health Care Services pays authorized treatment related to a qualifying diagnosis and may help with transportation or family lodging when care is away from home. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is explicitly listed as an eligible diagnosis. A Michigan family applies through its local CSHCS office and the child’s specialist submits recent medical documentation; household income does not determine medical eligibility, although a sliding annual fee may apply unless waived.
Amount not published
Can cover
- Authorized treatment related to the qualifying diagnosis
- Potential lodging and meal assistance when the child is hospitalized away from home
- Qualifying transportation to medical appointments
Does not cover
- Bills already paid by the family
- Care unrelated to the qualifying diagnosis
- Out-of-state care without required prior approval
- Unauthorized providers or services
- No universal dollar maximum is published; services must be authorized and related to the qualifying diagnosis.
- Coverage continues while the child remains medically and administratively eligible; the diagnosis list assigns medical-review periods.
Travel And Transportation
Children’s Special Health Care Services — travel and transportation
Michigan Children’s Special Health Care Services pays authorized treatment related to a qualifying diagnosis and may help with transportation or family lodging when care is away from home. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is explicitly listed as an eligible diagnosis. A Michigan family applies through its local CSHCS office and the child’s specialist submits recent medical documentation; household income does not determine medical eligibility, although a sliding annual fee may apply unless waived.
Amount not published
Can cover
- Authorized treatment related to the qualifying diagnosis
- Potential lodging and meal assistance when the child is hospitalized away from home
- Qualifying transportation to medical appointments
Does not cover
- Bills already paid by the family
- Care unrelated to the qualifying diagnosis
- Out-of-state care without required prior approval
- Unauthorized providers or services
- No universal dollar maximum is published; services must be authorized and related to the qualifying diagnosis.
- Coverage continues while the child remains medically and administratively eligible; the diagnosis list assigns medical-review periods.
Why this may help
Meals And Food: Meal assistance may be available when your child is hospitalized away from home.
Check the main eligibility rules
Diagnosis
B-ALL is in scope. The current official diagnosis list explicitly includes acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and the program serves Michigan residents under age 26.
Age
Age 0 to age 25, measured at application.
- The program serves children and some adults under age 26 with qualifying conditions.
Treatment status
Newly Diagnosed
- A provider must verify the patient or diagnosis.
- A specialist must submit recent medical records describing the qualifying condition and treatment.
- The official family page states that the child must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying legal migrant farmworker through the child, parent, or guardian.
- Other insurance is billed before CSHCS.
- Household income is used to calculate a possible annual payment agreement, not medical eligibility.
- There is no income limit for medical eligibility.
- A sliding annual fee may apply based on income and household size.
- The fee is waived for Medicaid or MIChild enrollment and certain foster-care, court-guardianship, or similar statuses.
Where you live and where your child is treated
Where your family lives
You must live in: MI.
- The applicant must be a Michigan resident.
Where your child is treated
Treatment must be connected to: CSHCS providers and services must be authorized for the child’s qualifying diagnosis; out-of-state services require prior approval..
- CSHCS providers and services must be authorized for the child’s qualifying diagnosis; out-of-state services require prior approval.
How to get started
Set up the ask for my care team
Does a social worker or care team need to start it? Yes. Ask your child’s social worker or care team to begin the request.
Who can start: Healthcare Team, Parent Or Guardian, Patient
- Ask the child’s specialist to send a medical report less than one year old describing the diagnosis and treatment.
- Complete any payment-agreement process if a fee applies.
- Complete the CSHCS application and consent forms.
- Contact the local county CSHCS office or state Family Phone Line.
- Obtain authorization before covered specialty services or travel where required.
Ways to apply or ask
- Online Portal · Open form or page
- Online Portal · Open form or page
Documents to prepare
- CSHCS application and consent
- Current specialist medical report
- Income/household information if needed for the payment agreement
- Residency and identity information
- CSHCS pays authorized providers and may arrange or reimburse approved travel-related costs through the local office.
- Other insurance is billed first.
Availability and timing
| Program | Active |
|---|---|
| Applications | Open |
| Funding or space | Available |
| Application window | Rolling |
| Last checked | Aug 24, 2026 |
- Current program, diagnosis, coverage, and application pages were active on the verification date.
- Contact local CSHCS before incurring travel or lodging costs.
Limitations and things to confirm
- An annual payment-agreement fee may apply.
- Other insurance pays first.
- Services must relate to the qualifying diagnosis and use authorized providers.
- Travel, meal, lodging, and out-of-state care can require advance approval.
- What exact local reimbursement limits and documentation rules apply to each travel, meal, and lodging request?
Official sources
Program details were last verified Aug 24, 2026. Availability can change, so check the official program before applying.
- Frequently Asked Questions About CSHCS Coverage · checked Aug 24, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions About CSHCS Coverage · checked Aug 23, 2026
- CSHCS Qualifying Diagnoses and Medical Review Periods · checked Aug 24, 2026
- CSHCS Qualifying Diagnoses and Medical Review Periods · checked Aug 23, 2026
- General Information for Families About CSHCS · checked Aug 24, 2026
- General Information for Families About CSHCS · checked Aug 23, 2026
- CSHCS and MSA Forms · checked Aug 24, 2026
- CSHCS and MSA Forms · checked Aug 23, 2026