Pediatric complex care: Your family's partner when the journey is challenging

We know how hard it is when your child has complicated health issues. Our UW Health Kids Complex Care Program coordinates your child's care among multiple doctors and clinics so you can focus more energy on your child.

Conditions and services

Coordinating care, fostering communication

We provide a roadmap for you and others involved in your child’s care when there are questions or concerns. Our focus is on your child’s needs and overall well-being.

We help to organize, plan and communicate with others to make sure that you are involved in decision-making and that members of your child’s team are up to date on what’s happening.

Our goal is to make sure you have access to the resources you need to take the best care possible of your child. Our work can help reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

Children we support

The UW Health Kids Complex Care Program is for children who: 

  • Have health issues in three or more body systems 

  • See three or more medical or surgical specialists 

  • Have had a hospital stay lasting at least five days or at least 10 medical or surgical subspecialty clinic visits in the last year 

  • Have medical management and care coordination needs

  • Do not have a specialist or other care program designed to meet their needs

  • Are beneficiaries of Wisconsin Medicaid (have a Forward Health card)

Our services

We personalize care for each child. Our services include:

  • A comprehensive enrollment visit, where we discuss your child’s medical history and needs and create a shared plan of care for your child

  • Advocacy for your child’s needs

  • After-hours response for urgent concerns in the evening or on weekends

  • A care plan that includes details on responding to unexpected events 

  • Inpatient visits and consultation with care providers if your child is hospitalized

  • Regular clinic visits twice a year to check in with you and your child

  • Regular monthly communication with you to make sure your child’s needs are being met

Smiling child with sign reading UW Health Kids
UW Health Kids
Our pediatric experts have served the special needs of children for more than 100 years. We focus on each child’s unique needs and offer social and emotional support to help you and your child face even the most complex condition. Our long history includes the creation of medical advances that save lives around the world. Together, we get your child back to health and enjoying being a kid.

Patient stories

Meet some of our patients

Mary Briggs-Pomo and her son Ben Pomo posing for a selfie on an airplane
Ben's story
Rare genetic abnormality can’t touch Ben’s love of life

Mary Briggs-Pomo remembers how scary her son’s health was almost from the moment he was born 10 years ago. But thanks to a whole team of pediatric specialists that listened and took her concerns seriously, she has answers and a happy, giggly, cuddly little boy.

Meet our team

Child-centered and parent-focused experts

Our team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, care coordination assistants, registered dieticians and a social worker. They’re experts at working with kids with chronic health issues and technology dependence and know how to navigate the complex health care system. All of them have your child’s best interest at heart and will work closely with you to make sure you are a valued member of your child’s care team.

Our providers

Location

Caring for kids at American Family Children’s Hospital

The UW Health Kids Complex Care program operates out of American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wis.