Children's Medical Services (CMS)

• A CMS Care Coordinator who assists the family with their child’s specific healthcare needs
• Medical services and/or durable medical equipment not paid for by Medicaid or private insurance
• Access to specialty healthcare clinics
• Transition planning for adolescents (12 years of age and older) moving from pediatric to adult health care
• Assistance with transportation, translation, health education, and adaptive technologies

For families with children ages birth to 5:

• Submit a referral to the Children 1st program to begin the process of enrolling a child in the CMS program for services.
• Search the Service Locator and contact the Children 1st program that serves the county in which the child and family live for more information.
• Download and return the completed Children 1st Screening and Referral Form to the appropriate local Children 1st program office via fax, mail or email.

 
For families with children and youth over the age of 5:

• Submit a referral to the CMS program to begin the process of enrolling a child for services.
• Search the Service Locator and contact the CMS program that serves the county in which the child and family live for more information.
• Download and return the completed Children 1st Screening and Referral Form to the appropriate local CMS program office via fax, mail or email.

• MUST live in Georgia
• MUST be under 21 years of age
• MUST meet Family Income Eligibility
  • Family income must be less than 247% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.  These guidelines are updated every year and the local CMS program can assist families with finding out if they meet the financial eligibility.
  • Children who are enrolled in Medicaid or PeachCare, receive SSI, or are in foster care are financially eligible for CMS services.

Download the current annual family income guidelines

• MUST have an Eligible Medical Condition - Chronic medical conditions that are eligible for CMS include, but are not limited to:
  • Asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other lung disorders.
  • Neurological 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.
  • Some vision and hearing disorders.
  • Diabetes and other endocrine and genetic disorders.
  • Craniofacial anomalies such as cleft lip/palate.
  • Congenital cardiac conditions.

• MUST have an Eligible Medical Condition - Chronic medical conditions that are eligible for CMS include, but are not limited to:
  • Asthma, cystic fibrosis and other lung disorders
  • Neurological 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
  • Some vision and hearing disorders
  • Diabetes and other endocrine and genetic disorders
  • Craniofacial anomalies such as cleft lip/palate
  • Congenital cardiac conditions

For a list of medical conditions that are eligible for the CMS program, search the Comprehensive List of Conditions. This tool is helpful when referring a family to the program and the child’s diagnosis is known. The local CMS program can also assist families with finding out if their child meets the medical eligibility.

CMS Care Coordinators will help you develop a plan for your child that includes goals and desired outcomes.  Your Care Coordinator will help you implement the plan, find services and providers, access other funding sources, and coordinate with specialty care providers.  CMS can also provide or assist with services, supplies, and other supports that your child’s Medicaid, PeachCare, or insurance may not cover.