The EPSDT benefit, in accordance with section 1905(r)
of the Act, must include the following services:
Screening Services -- Screening services must
include all of the following services:
- Comprehensive health and developmental history
-- (including assessment of both physical and mental health development);
- Comprehensive unclothed physical exam;
- Appropriate immunizations -- (according to the
schedule established by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP) for pediatric vaccines);
- Laboratory tests -- Identify as statewide
screening requirements the minimum laboratory tests or analyses to be
performed by medical providers for particular age or population groups;
- Lead Toxicity Screening - All children are considered at risk and must be screened for lead poisoning. CMS requires that all children receive a screening blood lead test at 12 months and 24 months of age. Children between the ages of 36 months and 72 months of age must receive a screening blood lead test if they have not been previously screened for lead poisoning. A blood lead test must be used when screening Medicaid-eligible children. A blood lead test result equal to or greater than 10 ug/dl obtained by capillary specimen (fingerstick) must be confirmed using a venous blood sample.
At this time, States may not adopt a statewide plan for screening children
for lead poisoning that does not require lead screening for all Medicaid-eligible
children.
- Health Education -- Health education is a required component of screening
services and includes anticipatory guidance. At the outset, the physical
and/or dental screening provides the initial context for providing health
education. Health education and counseling to both parents (or guardians) and
children is required and is designed to assist in understanding what to expect
in terms of the child's development and to provide information about the
benefits of healthy lifestyles and practices as well as accident and disease
prevention;
- Vision Services -- At a minimum, include diagnosis and treatment for defects
in vision, including eyeglasses. Vision services must be provided according to
a distinct periodicity schedule developed by the state and at other intervals
as medically necessary;
- Dental Services -- At a minimum, include relief of pain and infections, restoration of teeth and maintenance of dental health. Dental services may not be limited to emergency services. Although an oral screening may be part of a physical examination, it does not substitute for examination through direct referral to a dentist. A direct dental referral is required for every child in accordance with the periodicity schedule developed by the state and at other intervals as medically necessary. The law as amended by OBRA 1989 requires that dental services (including initial direct referral to a dentist) conform to the state periodicity schedule which must be established after consultation with recognized dental organizations involved in child health care;
"The Guide to Children's Dental Care in
Medicaid" is now available... More>>
- Hearing Services -- At a minimum, include diagnosis and treatment for defects
in hearing, including hearing aids; and
- Other Necessary Health Care - States must provide other necessary health care, diagnosis services, treatment, and other measure described in section 1905(a) of the Act to correct or ameliorate defects, and physical and mental illnesses and conditions discovered by the screening services.
Periodicity Schedule
Periodicity schedules for Periodic Screening, Vision, and Hearing
services must be provided at intervals that meet reasonable standards of medical
practice. States must consult with recognized medical organizations involved
in child health care in developing reasonable standards.
Dental services must be provided at intervals determined to
meet reasonable standards of dental practice. States must consult with recognized
dental organizations involved in child health care to establish those intervals.
A direct dental referral is required for every child in accordance with each
states periodicity schedule and at other intervals as medically necessary. The
periodicity schedule for other EPSDT services may not govern the schedule for
dental services. It is expected that older children may require dental services
more frequently than physical examinations.
Diagnosis
When a screening examination indicates the need for further
evaluation of an individual's health, provide diagnostic services. The referral
should be made without delay and follow-up to make sure that the recipient receives
a complete diagnostic evaluation. If the recipient is receiving care from a
continuing care provider, diagnosis may be part of the screening and examination
process. States should develop quality assurance procedures to assure comprehensive
care for the individual.
Treatment -- Health care must be made available
for treatment or other measures to correct or ameliorate defects and physical
and mental illnesses or conditions discovered by the screening services.
Any additional diagnostic and treatment services determined
to be medically necessary must also be provided to a child diagnosed with an
elevated blood lead level.
