EPSDT: Enhancing Pediatric Health through Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) is a program created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure that all Medicaid-eligible children receive comprehensive and preventive health care. EPSDT is designed to detect physical and mental health conditions early in childhood, so they can be addressed before they become more serious health issues. EPSDT provides comprehensive screening, diagnosis, and treatment services that are tailored to the individual needs of each Medicaid-eligible child. It also allows for follow-up care to ensure that any issues that have been identified are managed appropriately and that any new health issues that may arise are addressed promptly.
The goal of EPSDT is to enhance the health of Medicaid-eligible children by providing preventive health care services that are tailored to their individual needs. This includes screening for physical and mental health conditions, as well as providing treatment and follow-up care for any health issues that may arise. Through EPSDT, Medicaid-eligible children can receive comprehensive health care services that are tailored to their individual needs, so they can remain healthy and active into adulthood.
The EPSDT program is administered by the states, with oversight from the CMS. Each state has its own set of rules and regulations regarding EPSDT, but all states must provide the same basic services. These services include screening for physical and mental health conditions; providing diagnosis and treatment when necessary; and providing follow-up care to ensure that any issues that have been identified are managed appropriately.
EPSDT is critical for ensuring that all Medicaid-eligible children receive the health care services they need to stay healthy and active. By detecting physical and mental health conditions early on, EPSDT helps to ensure that any issues that may arise are addressed promptly and appropriately. This is especially important for Medicaid-eligible children, who may not have access to the same level of health care services as other children. By providing comprehensive screening, diagnosis, and treatment services that are tailored to the individual needs of each Medicaid-eligible child, EPSDT can help to ensure that all Medicaid-eligible children receive the health care services they need to remain healthy and active into adulthood.
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). Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT). Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/programs/epsdt/index.html
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT). Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/EPSDT/Pages/EPSDT.aspx