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Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) Program

Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Benefits for Children and Youth under Age 21 

EPSDT benefits are for OHP members under age 21. These benefits include comprehensive preventive health care services from birth until they turn age 21, such as:

  • Age-appropriate medical exams, screening and diagnostic services and
  • Medically necessary Medicaid-covered services (defined in Section 1905 (a) of the Social Security Act) to treat any physical, dental, developmental and mental health conditions discovered.

Coordinated care organizations (CCOs) cover these benefits for CCO members. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) covers EPSDT benefits for members not enrolled in a CCO (these members have fee-for-service OHP, also known as Open Card coverage).

Most EPSDT services have been provided in Oregon for many years. This includes through adolescent and well child visits and other routine medical, dental and behavioral health care.

Like all other OHP benefits, both OHA and CCOs must ensure that EPDST benefits are provided in a timely manner and at no cost.

Child with doctor and parent at well-child visit 

About EPSDT

Who Qualifies for EPSDT in Oregon?

All children and youth in Oregon up to age 21 who are enrolled in OHP. This includes children and youth under age 21 who enrolled in OHP through OHP Covers Me! (Cover All Kids) and Healthier Oregon.

EPSDT coverage ends on a member's 21st birthday.

Father holding child  

What Services Are Provided?

​Screening visits (also known as well child visits or adolescent well visits) at age-appropriate intervals following the American Academy of Pediatrics and Bright Futures guidelines and periodicity schedule. These visits must include:

  • Full physical exam
  • Full health and developmental history (including assessment of both physical and mental health development)
  • Developmental screening
  • Preventive laboratory tests (including lead toxicity testing and genetic testing)
  • Appropriate immunizations
  • Assessment of nutritional status
  • Anticipatory guidance and health counseling for parents and children
  • Referrals for medically necessary health and mental health treatment

EPSDT also covers screenings for vision, hearing and oral/dental health.

EPSDT also covers unscheduled check-ups or exams that can happen at any time. This can be due to an illness, injury or a change in condition. 

​EPSDT covers all medically necessary and medically appropriate services that are required for an OHP member under age 21, including for treatment of conditions identified as part of an EPSDT screening or health exam.

Examples include:

  • Physical health services (treatment for illness and injury)
  • Behavioral health services (mental health and substance use disorder treatment, including Applied Behavior Analysis)
  • Case management
  • Speech-language-hearing, occupational and physical therapy
  • Eyeglasses, hearing aids and augmentative communication devices
  • Dental care
  • Medical equipment and supplies
  • Health services provided by school staff, for example as part of an Individualized Education Program
  • Personal care services
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Nutritional supplements/medical foods
Determination of whether a service is medically necessary and medically appropriate must be available on a case-by-case basis, taking into account a particular child's needs. Medically Necessary and Medically Appropriate are defined in Oregon Administrative Rule 410-120-0000.

In cases where prior authorization is required, providers can ask OHA or the child's CCO to review services for medical necessity by submitting a prior authorization request as described on the OHP Prior Authorization page.

OHA makes the final determination of medical necessity and medical appropriateness for hearing requests for denied services and for fee-for-service (Open Card) prior authorizations. 

EPSDT’s goal is to ensure individual children on Medicaid 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.

EPSDT Coverage in Oregon Expanded January 1, 2023

Oregon did not renew the longstanding waiver around EPSDT for children. The decision came as a result of clear feedback from the community, advocates, children's service organizations, and other interested parties. Beginning January 1, 2023, OHA and CCOs must cover all medically necessary and medically appropriate services for OHP members under age 21, regardless of placement on the Prioritized List of Health Services. Medical necessity and medical appropriateness are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the member's needs.

States must cover all medically necessary and medically appropriate services that are part of the federal EPSDT benefit, even if the service is not available or defined under the state's Medicaid plan.

Teens sitting on a park bench, looking at their phones A child stands before two smiling health care providers at a desk  

To Learn More:

Partner Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (1/5/2024)

EPSDT Guidance for CCOs (updated 1/5/2024)

Memo and EPSDT Guidance for OHP providers (11/25/2023)

Change log of guidance updates (1/5/2024)

Provider webinars: 

EPSDT Overview and Open Card Process Updates:

EPSDT for Behavioral Health and Behavior Rehabilitation Service providers

EPSDT Overview webinar: 

EPSDT Ensuring Access webinar:

Questions?

OHP Members:

Call the phone number listed on your CCO or Plan ID card, or find your CCO's contact information here.

CCO Staff, Providers and Others:

Email OHA's EPSDT staff at EPSDT.Info@odhsoha.oregon.gov.