Military families go where they are needed. Children’s health care needs to be ready wherever they go.
For children, military life can mean frequent moves, changing health care providers often, and navigating care across military and civilian systems.
Up to half of military-connected children receive care in the civilian sector, and few military treatment facilities provide pediatric specialty care.
Children’s hospitals are an important source of specialized care for military-connected children, including those with complex physical and behavioral health needs. They work with military providers, community partners, and national organizations to improve access to care.
Meeting military families where they are
Children’s hospitals are bringing their expertise to military children and families in different ways.
At Norton Children’s Hospital, a partnership with Fort Knox’s Ireland Army Health Clinic focuses on helping military families receive pediatric specialty care. The Kentucky organizations have streamlined referrals for children with complex health care needs, established escalation pathways for urgent concerns, and improved access to medical records. They also created a dedicated phone line to connect families with staff experienced in Humana Military TRICARE referral management.
The Kennedy Krieger Institute offers a behavioral health program around the transitions military families experience. The program began serving families near Fort Meade, Maryland, in 2011 and has grown into a model designed to help children maintain access to behavioral health support through moves and life changes.
In Ohio, Dayton Children’s Hospital and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have worked together for more than 50 years to train military and civilian pediatric residents side by side. Residents in this one-of-a-kind program gain pediatric experience that physicians take to hospitals and clinics around the world.
These efforts show the range of ways children’s hospitals support military families, from helping a child reach a specialist close to their new home to preparing physicians to provide pediatric care in military settings.
Supporting coverage for military-connected kids
Medicaid plays an important role for many military-connected families to access pediatric care.
According to a Children’s Hospital Association report, nearly three million infants, children, and adolescents in military-connected families are eligible for or covered by Medicaid. About 2.17 million are enrolled, while approximately 800,000 more are eligible but not enrolled.
Military families may navigate TRICARE, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and commercial insurance as they relocate or their circumstances change. Medicaid helps address gaps in other coverage, particularly for children with complex health needs.
The program’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment benefit provides children with comprehensive, medically necessary services, including mental and behavioral health care. Home- and community-based services may also be available through state Medicaid waivers.
Congress must strengthen Medicaid to continue providing these children and their families with access to care and ensure consistent coverage. Increased investment in Medicaid is one way we can support and thank those serving our nation.
Strengthening the network around children
Some military-connected children also help care for a wounded, ill, or injured service member or veteran. More than 2.3 million children serve in these caregiving roles and are known as Hidden Helpers.
CHA joined the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Helpers Coalition in 2024 to raise awareness of these young caregivers and expand the support and services available to them. The coalition includes organizations working to better understand and address the needs of military caregiver children and youth.
The partnership is one part of CHA’s broader commitment to military-connected children. CHA also participates in the TRICARE for Kids Coalition which focuses on ensuring military health systems meet children’s unique health needs.
Putting military-kids first
Children’s hospitals play an essential role in the network of care surrounding military-connected children and families. Through partnerships, pediatric expertise, and advocacy, hospitals and organizations including CHA are strengthening access to the specialized care and services these children need. Together, we can help ensure high-quality pediatric care and support follows military families wherever service calls.
