States New Hampshire

Opt-Out:

New Hampshire law requires all newborns born in the state to be screened for these potentially fatal conditions. If, after hearing all the benefits of newborn screening and the risks involved in refusing testing, a parent may choose to refuse. Parents may fill out a refusal form, which is then filed with the newborn’s medical information.

Support for families:

One of the concerns some families may have when they find out their child has a condition detected through the newborn screening program is the increase in health care costs. Fortunately, New Hampshire has many laws and programs which have been put in place to make treatment of these conditions more affordable for families who are looking to provide the best care to their loved ones.

If your child is covered by individual, group or blanket accident or health insurance, a health service corporation, or an HMO, these insurers must provide coverage for enteral formulas and food products. The annual cap is $1,800 for food products. Normal deductibles and coinsurance may apply to these products just as they apply to other prescriptions under your plan.

In addition to insurance coverage requirements, New Hampshire provides various programs to help families with loved ones with conditions detected through the newborn screening process.

Special Medical Services, the New Hampshire Title V Program for Children with Special Health Care Needs, administers health programs and services for children ages birth to 21 years, who have, or are at risk for, a chronic medical condition, disability or special health care need.

Special Medical Services (SMS) provides leadership in building and promoting a community-based system of services that is family centered, comprehensive, coordinated and culturally competent. Special Medical Services provides medical and financial services to children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Children with special health care needs are those who have, or are at increased risk for, chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions, which require health and related services of a type beyond that, required by children generally. Special Medical Services (SMS) helps New Hampshire families with health information and support services, and helps them with specialty health care services for their eligible children. SMS provides care coordination services, support for child development and neuromotor clinics, nutritional and feeding/swallowing consultation, psychological and physical therapy services, and support for the New Hampshire Family Voices and Partners in Health programs. To apply for SMS’s valuable services, please fill out the SMS's application.

In addition to SMS, the New Hampshire Family Centered Early Supports and Services (FCESS) include designated non-profit and specialized service agencies located throughout the state. Anyone who is concerned about an infant or toddler's development, including a parent, may make a referral to FCESS. The program is designed for children birth through age two who have a diagnosed, established condition that has a high probability of resulting in delay, are experiencing developmental delays, or are at risk for substantial developmental delays if supports and services are not provided.

Family centered early supports and services are provided within a child's home or where a child spends time. In this way, a child and family are better able to participate and become more actively involved in their community. To see if your child may be eligible, view the eligibility requirements. For further questions, please call the New Hampshire Family Centered Early Supports and Services at (800) 852-3345, ext. 5036 or ext. 5122. The FCESS staff at the state office will be happy to help you find the contact numbers and other valuable information.

Storage and Use of Dried Blood Spots:

After your child’s blood has been screened for the conditions tested in the newborn screening program, there will be a little bit of blood left on the collection card which is called a “residual dried blood spot”. The residual dried blood spots are retained for 6 months in New Hampshire. After this 6 month window, the residual dried blood spots are destroyed. While stored, residual dried blood spots are not permitted to be used for any other purpose other than newborn screening for that child without written permission from the parent or guardian.

To see a copy of the blood spot card used in New Hampshire click here.