Congenital Heart Adolescent Transition Program (CHAT)
Through a series of visits, your child will be taught:
- How to schedule appointments and stay active
- More about their heart diagnosis
- Preventive care and medications
- Tips on managing insurance, jobs and family planning
Our goal is to help your child feel confident and prepared to manage their health independently as they become young adults.
What age should you start CHAT?
The CHAT program is generally best for patients 15 years and older. However, every child is different. If you think your child is ready to start earlier, we’re happy to discuss whether this program could be helpful for them.
How Our CHAT Program Works
Before your first visit, your child will complete a quick survey to help us understand what topics – like life goals, medical and social – are most important for them.
Most kids have two to four visits with one of our expert nurses. During these visits, we’ll cover topics like:
- How to handle insurance, work and staying active
- Medications and preventive care
- Their heart condition and how to manage it
During the first meeting, we’ll talk with your child to better understand what they already know and create a plan to help them transition smoothly.
Each visit is personalized to meet your child’s needs and help them feel confident about their health.
Video Visits
Life can be busy, so we offer video visits through OSF MyChart. These appointments let you and your child meet with us from home – no need to travel to the clinic. Of course, if your child would rather meet in person, we can schedule an in-person visit.
Billing and Insurance
The CHAT Program is billed like a regular preventive visit. Most insurance plans cover it but check with your insurance provider for details. If you’d like somebody to help you figure out what your insurance covers, reach out to our family services contact.
Request an Appointment
Ready to get started? Schedule an appointment through OSF MyChart, complete the form linked below or call (309) 655-3453 to talk to someone on our team.
