CISWH Project Resources

Previous Catalyst Center calculations of costs per child for children with disabilities eligible for Medicaid coverage under the Family Opportunity Act were derived from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates. In this revised estimate, we use information from the Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) State Summary Datamart. 

Family advocacy efforts coupled with legislative support resulted in the creation and implementation of a Medicaid Buy-in program for families raising children with disabilities in Texas. 

Mandated benefits are health care benefits or services that, with some important exceptions) private health insurers must cover. Every state mandates at least some health benefits, depending on emerging issues in that state.

Nationwide, there is growing interest in the use of care coordination as an integral component of comprehensive, quality care provided within the medical home model for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). A broad range of stakeholders – family members, advocates, state Title V Children with Special Health Care Needs program staff, health insurers, and providers – have expressed a need to the Catalyst Center to be able to evaluate the benefits of investing in care coordination. The purpose of this policy brief is to help provide some guidance in thinking through the requirements for doing so.

This interactive chartbook provides data on carefully selected indicators of health coverage and health care financing for CYSHCN in every state plus DC and Puerto Rico.

Relief Funds pay for services families incur for their children and youth with special health care needs/disabilities that are not covered by private insurance, Medicaid, or any other public or private programs. Relief Funds function as a payer of last resort for families who struggle financially to meet the health care needs of their children and can help relief family financial hardship.

Financial hardship is common among families raising CYSHCN. This Catalyst Center policy brief describes the three distinct but interconnected pathways. 

This guide is designed for policymakers, advocates, legislators, consumers, family members, and providers – in short, for anyone interested in financing care for children and youth with special health care needs at the state level, and in particular through the Medicaid program.

This Catalyst Center policy brief provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Family Opportunity Act (FOA) Medicaid Buy-in option, including what the advantages are for families raising children with disabilities and states, how it affects existing pathways to Medicaid, and any costs for families.  

This Catalyst Center policy brief explains the problem of under-insurance for CYSHCN and its impact on families.