EPSDT Parents
Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Services (EPSDT) Care for Kids
The EPSDT Care for Kids program provides routine physicals or well-child check-ups at specified ages. It is considered preventive care.
Preventive care is as important for your child's health as treatment is when he or she is sick. Proper preventive care helps keep your child healthy and is also linked to school readiness.
Shots are one of the most important preventive services for children. Shots (also called vaccines) protect your child from diseases such as polio, measles and mumps. Your doctor will check your child to make sure he or she is growing and developing properly. Your doctor will tell you what you can do to keep your child's teeth healthy. Your doctor may also give you advice on how to keep your child safe from accidents and injuries (for example, using car seats and seat belts and keeping your child away from poisons and electrical outlets). Your doctor will also talk to you about teaching your child healthy eating and exercise habits.
Who is eligible?
Children birth through age 20 years who have an active Iowa Medicaid card.
What services are provided?
Initial and periodic health check-ups including, but not limited to, the following:
- medical history
- physical examination
- dental screening
- hearing and vision screening
- immunizations
- laboratory tests, including blood lead testing
- growth and developmental assessment
- referral for further diagnostic and treatment services, if needed
When should my child get an EPSDT exam?
Children should get EPSDT Care for Kids exams at regular times, even when they are feeling well.
Babies grow fast and needs a lot of EPSDT exams. They need exams at:
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
Toddlers need exams at:
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 24 months
- 30 months
After 30 months, children need an EPSDT Care for Kids exam at ages 3, 4, 5, 6 and then annually up to age 21. Additional exams are also covered based upon a child's needs.
EPSDT Care for Kids coordinator:
EPSDT Care for Kids coordinators provide assistance to families in all of Iowa's 99 counties. Coordinators provide:
- An explanation of the benefits of well child medical and oral health care
- Information about the services available through the EPSDT Care for Kids program
- An explanation of what to expect during a well child check-up
- Information about health resources in the community including how and where to find them
- Assistance with locating providers for well child check-ups and oral health care
- Assistance with scheduling appointments for medical and oral health care
- Assistance with finding transportation to medical and oral health services
- Assistance with other support services such as translation and child care
How do I get more information?
If you have more questions about the EPSDT Care for Kids program, or would like to talk with an EPSDT Care for Kids coordinator, please call the Healthy Families Line at 1-800-369-2229 . The Healthy Families Line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Resources
For other helpful resources, click on the 'Resources' link on this page.
You may also use the "Contact Us" link to submit questions online.