Early and Periodic, Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment(EPSDT)
EPSDT provides a comprehensive array of prevention, diagnostic, and treatment services for low-income infants, children, and adolescents under the age of 21 years.
The EPSDT benefit is more robust than the Medicaid benefit for adults and is designed to assure that children receive early detection and care, so that health problems are averted or diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Health plans are required to comply with all EPSDT requirements for their Medicaid enrollees under the age of 21 years.
- EPSDT entitles Medicaid enrollees under the age of 21 years, to any treatment or procedure that fits within any of the categories of Medicaid-covered services listed in Section 1905(a) of the Act if that treatment or service is necessary to “correct or ameliorate” defects and physical and mental illnesses or conditions. This requirement results in a comprehensive health benefit for children under age 21 enrolled in Medicaid.
In addition to the covered services listed above, Medicaid must provide any other medical or remedial care, even if the agency does not otherwise provide for these services or provides for them in a lesser amount, duration, or scope.
For more information about Medicaid Well Child Visits (Child Health Check-Up Visits), visit The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration:
