The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services issued an annual update Medical Assistance Bulletin regarding the EPSDT Program Periodicity Schedule and Coding Matrix. There are several content updates including:
- Psychosocial/Behavioral Assessment has been updated to “Behavioral/Social/Emotional Screening” (annually from newborn to 21 years) to align with AAP policy, the ACOG Women’s Preventive Services Initiative recommendations, and the AACAP guidelines.
- Risk assessment for hepatitis B virus infection has been added to occur once between the ages of newborn and 21 years, with appropriate action to follow, if positive.
- Risk assessment for sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death has been added to occur once between the ages of 11 and 21 years, with appropriate action to follow, if positive.
There are also several footnote updates. For full details click here. Additionally, a Medical Assistance Bulletin was issued regarding vaccine counseling-only visits for beneficiaries under 21. This bulletin announced the Medical Assistance program will cover vaccine counseling visits for beneficiaries under age 21 for vaccines provided through the EPSDT benefit when no vaccines are administered. For details click here. 