Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) is a federal program that provides comprehensive and preventive health services for children under the age of 21. EPSDT’s goal is to detect and treat physical, mental, and developmental problems as early as possible in order to ensure optimal health outcomes for children. The program was established by the Social Security Act in 1972 and is administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
EPSDT provides a comprehensive set of preventive health care services that include physical, mental, and developmental screenings, as well as immunizations, vision and hearing screenings, and laboratory tests. EPSDT also provides access to needed treatment services, including hospital care, prescription drugs, dental care, and mental health services. EPSDT is an important preventive health service for children and adolescents, as it allows for early detection and treatment of health conditions that may otherwise go undetected and untreated.
EPSDT is available to Medicaid-eligible children under the age of 21 who meet certain eligibility criteria. To be eligible for EPSDT, children must be enrolled in a Medicaid program and have an income at or below the federal poverty level. Additionally, children must have a comprehensive screening and examination at least once a year, as well as any additional medically necessary screenings and services that are recommended by a health care provider.
EPSDT is an important program for ensuring that all children have access to comprehensive preventive health care services. By providing access to preventive care, EPSDT helps to ensure optimal health outcomes for children and adolescents. Additionally, EPSDT helps to reduce health care costs by preventing the need for more costly treatment in the future.
Overall, EPSDT is an important program for ensuring that all children have access to comprehensive preventive health care services. By providing access to preventive care, EPSDT helps to ensure optimal health outcomes for children and adolescents, as well as reduce health care costs.
References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2020). Early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT). Retrieved from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/epsdt/index.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Understanding EPSDT. Retrieved from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/epsdt/understanding-epsdt/index.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). EPSDT Eligibility. Retrieved from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/epsdt/epsdt-eligibility/index.html