Keeping Kids Healthy with Well-Child Checks
Date: 08/01/17
The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) service is Medicaid’s preventive health program for members younger than 21. EPSDT services include periodic screening, vision, dental and hearing services. California Health & Wellness encourages members to keep their children healthy with regular well-child checks and informs members these visits are a good time to assess their child’s health and receive anticipatory guidance.
A periodic health screening assessment should include:
- Comprehensive health and development history (for both physical and mental development)
- Comprehensive unclothed physical examination
- Immunizations
- Assessment of nutritional status
- Laboratory tests
- Developmental assessment
- Vision screening and services
- Dental screening and services
- Hearing screening and services
- Health education and anticipatory guidance
- Annual well-child visits for members younger than 21
California Health & Wellness promotes adherence to the EPSDT periodicity schedule for members younger than 21. A comprehensive schedule of screenings is available at the American Academy of Pediatrics website. California Health & Wellness supports members with following the periodicity schedule through reminder postcards, educational materials and outreach calls to members with missed appointments.