EPSDT
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT)
EPSDT is a mandatory service of the Medicaid program and is included in every state’s Medicaid State Plan. EPSDT provides preventative services and treatment to Medicaid eligible children and youth under the age of 21.
Children’s health needs are different than adult’s health needs. EPSDT was created to address those differences with more robust Medicaid offerings for children. EPSDT provides for routine health screenings to help prevent health problems for youth or to diagnose and treat them as early as possible.
AAICAMA Resources
AAICAMA Practice Bulletin: EPSDT
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services declares that “The goal of EPSDT is to assure that individual children get the health care they need when they need it – the right care to the right child at the right time in the right setting.”
CMS Resources
Federal law: The Medicaid law on EPSDT can be found in the United States Code (USC) and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR.)
Cite: 42 U.S.C. §1396d(r) US Code EPSDT Title XIX 1905(r)
Cite: 42 C.F.R. §441.50 CFR EPSDT Basis Purpose
Cite : 42 C.F.R. §§441.55-441.62 CFR EPSDT State Plan Requirements and Services