The DSCC Core Program

What is the Core Program?
The Core Program offers care coordination and cost-supported diagnosis and treatment for children with chronic health impairments determined eligible for program support. DSCC supports non-investigational treatment recommended by physician specialists, such as therapy, medications, specialized equipment, and supplies.

Who does the Core Program help?

Any Illinois child from birth to age 21 may qualify for no-cost diagnostic services if it is suspected that an eligible medical condition exists. DSCC can help families to arrange, coordinate and pay for their child's specialized medical treatment when the child has an eligible medical condition, and certain financial criteria are met. DSCC staff collaborate with the child's family, physician specialists, and other providers to help the family develop the most appropriate program for the child.

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What conditions are eligible for Core Program services?

A child must have, or be suspected of having, a treatable chronic medical condition in one of the following categories to be "medically eligible" for services:

• Orthopedic conditions (bone, muscle, joint disease)
• Heart defects
• Hearing loss
• Neurological conditions (nerve, brain, spinal cord)
• Certain birth defects
• Disfiguring defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and severe burn scars
• Speech conditions which need medical/dental treatment
• Certain chronic disorders such as Hemophilia and Cystic Fibrosis
• Certain inborn metabolic problems including Phenylketonuria (PKU) and Galactosemia
• Eye impairments including cataracts, glaucoma, strabismus and certain retinal conditions - excluding isolated refractive errors
• Urinary system impairments (kidney, ureter, bladder)

DSCC only assists with specialized medical care and services. DSCC cannot provide help for acute childhood illnesses, routine dental or well-child care, immunizations or school physical examinations.

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How does DSCC help eligible children?

Care Coordination - Care coordination services are available at no cost to any family whose child has an eligible medical condition. This includes helping families and care providers develop a plan of care , coordinating services, linking families with other resources and programs, parent-to-parent support, information provision, helping families advocate for their child and making the best use of insurance and other payment sources.

Diagnosis - DSCC offers services that include a no-cost medical evaluation, regardless of family income, when an eligible condition is suspected.

Treatment - DSCC can assist with payment for specialized medical treatment such as surgeries, medications, therapy, wheelchairs, hearing aids and other medical services for families who are financially eligibile, based upon income and family size, when needed to treat an eligible condition.

Who is financially eligible?

Illinois families whose child is found to have an eligible medical condition may apply for financial assistance. Financial eligibility is determined by the family's size and total annual income. For more specific information about Core program financial assistance, contact the DSCC Regional Office that serves your community.

What about health insurance or KidCare benefits?

DSCC coordinates with other insurance benefits. If you have health insurance or are eligible for KidCare, you must use those benefits before DSCC can provide financial assistance. If your benefit plan does not cover the care your child needs, or if you have no insurance, DSCC can assist you.

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How do I find out if I am eligible?
Print the following application forms and mail them to the DSCC office in your area. You can locate the office in your area on the Find an Office page of our website.

You can fill-in and print completed forms from our web site, print blank forms and complete them manually, or contact a DSCC Regional Office to receive them by regular mail. Instructions are available to explain how to complete pdf forms on-line. The Adobe Reader, available free from the Adobe web site, is needed to view and print these PDF files.

Note: Adobe Reader does not allow you to save completed forms to disk; the ability to save completed forms is available commercially with the Adobe Acrobat 3.0 (or later) product suite.

Or you can call your nearest DSCC office and request application forms. You will be asked to provide financial and health care information about your child and family. Both the financial information forms and the medical reports must be completed and reviewed by DSCC staff before we can tell you whether or not you qualify.

More questions?

Our Families page has a listing of frequently asked question (FAQs) which may be helpful.

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