Under the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) mandate, states are required to conduct regularly scheduled screens to identify physical and mental health problems of all Medicaid recipients. To comply with this mandate, many states have chosen to include mental health and/or substance abuse questions in their general EPSDT screening tool. Other states have chosen to develop their own or use a specialized mental health/substance abuse screen. Since the screening falls primarily on pediatricians and other physical health providers who are often unprepared to conduct behavioral health screening, these tools can increase the number of children identified as needing more detailed substance abuse and mental health diagnosis.
This cross-sectional study examines the use of mental health and substance abuse screening tools in Medicaid programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Tools were collected from state Medicaid programs or the Child, Youth, Family Representative of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. Tools are analyzed for their strengths and weaknesses, including ease of administration, acceptance by parents, availability of results, and age specificity. The study also examines trends in the use of specialized mental health tools by comparing these findings with an earlier study.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Describe the EPSDT requirement regarding behavioral health screening. 2. Discuss the options available to states to meet this requirement. 3. Identify the current behavioral health requirements of the Medicaid program and the trend from 1997. 4. List the most common mental health and substance abuse screening tools
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.