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Well-Child Screenings
Regular physical exams, health histories, growth checks, and developmental assessments.
Learn how Medicaid's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit helps children and young adults get the preventive care, evaluations, and medically necessary treatment they need.
EPSDT stands for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment. It is a comprehensive Medicaid benefit for eligible children and young people under age 21.
Its goal is to identify physical, developmental, dental, and behavioral health concerns early—and provide medically necessary services to correct or improve identified conditions.
EPSDT includes preventive screening and medically necessary Medicaid-coverable services, based on each child's individual needs.
Regular physical exams, health histories, growth checks, and developmental assessments.
Vision screening, diagnosis, and medically necessary treatment, including eyeglasses when indicated.
Hearing evaluations and medically necessary follow-up services or hearing devices.
Preventive dental visits, diagnosis, and medically necessary dental treatment.
Screenings, evaluations, and medically necessary services for mental health and developmental concerns.
Other medically necessary Medicaid-coverable care, potentially including therapies, nursing, or equipment when criteria are met.
Services depend on medical necessity and Medicaid requirements. These examples do not indicate that Abbai provides every service listed.
Select a stage to see how EPSDT supports children's health over time.
Children receive screenings at recommended intervals, plus additional screenings when a medical concern arises. Screenings can include physical and mental health, development, nutrition, immunizations, laboratory tests, and health education.
When a screening identifies a possible concern, further tests or evaluations help determine the child's health needs and guide appropriate care.
EPSDT requires coverage of medically necessary services within federal Medicaid-coverable categories to correct or improve physical and mental health conditions, even if a state does not ordinarily cover that service for adults. Certain treatments may require authorization.
Four practical steps to help you explore EPSDT benefits and obtain care.
Confirm that your child is enrolled in Medicaid and ask about EPSDT benefits and participating providers.
Arrange a well-child visit or request an additional screening when you have a health concern.
Ask your child's clinician about diagnostic evaluations, treatment recommendations, and documentation.
Work with your Medicaid plan and qualified providers on covered services, referrals, and any needed approvals.
Understanding your child's Medicaid benefits is an important step toward getting the right support. Explore the official EPSDT information and discuss care options with your child's Medicaid plan.
Explore Official EPSDT Information →EPSDT generally applies to eligible Medicaid-enrolled children and young people under age 21. Medicaid eligibility rules and benefit administration vary by state and enrollment category.
Yes. EPSDT includes medically necessary diagnostic and treatment services within federal Medicaid-coverable categories, even when the state's regular benefit package is more limited.
Yes. When there is an indication of medical need, an additional screening may be provided outside the regular screening schedule.
No. Treatment must meet applicable medical necessity requirements. Some treatment services may require prior authorization, although EPSDT screening services cannot be subject to prior authorization requirements.
Contact your state Medicaid agency or your child's Medicaid managed care plan. You can also review the official MACPAC EPSDT resource linked on this page.
This page is for general education and is not an eligibility determination or a promise of specific services. Coverage and authorization depend on Medicaid rules and individual medical necessity. Abbai's service offerings and participation should be confirmed directly with the company.
Source: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC)