KIDSCARE: a network for children with special health care needs

In December 1997, Arkansas Medicaid in cooperation with Title V and Children's Medical Services (CMS) implemented guidelines for the preauthorization of therapy services for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN). The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in partnership with Arkansas Medicaid (MCD), and Chidren's Medical Services (CMS) were given the charge of developing clinical practice guidelines for physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech/language therapy (SLP) for this population based on primary diagnosis and age appropriateness. This process involved the implementation of a statewide, internet-based, clinical information support network. The objective of this article is to describe KIDSCARE, a clinical information support network, currently under development, for the determination of medical necessity and allocation of therapy services for CSHCN.