A report from the federal government’s Office of the Inspector General shows that Medicaid children in nine states including Florida are not getting screenings required by federal law.

The report shows that 76 percent of children in those nine states did not receive the medical, vision and hearing screenings under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment program. These screenings are required for children enrolled in Medicaid.

Forty-one percent of children never received medical screenings. And when children did receive a medical screening, they were often incomplete, according to the study (click here to read it). The study was based on reviews of 2007 medical records.

Why wouldn’t states want to screen youngsters?

Under EPSDT, Medicaid children are entitled to health care screenings and access to all Medicaid-covered services they are found to need, regardless of any Medicaid benefit restrictions imposed on adult beneficiaries by their state, according to a 2006 issue brief released by the national Health Policy Forum (click here to read it).

Florida’s track record of providing ESPDT screenings is currently under scrutiny in a Miami courtroom.

A group of families, pediatric dentists and pediatricians are suing the state Medicaid program for providing inadequate care for children. One of their claims in the class-action lawsuit is that Florida is falling short in its duty to provide EPSDT screenings to children enrolled in Medicaid program.

According to an article by the Associated Press, doctors say regular checkups are especially important for low-income children who are at higher risk for chronic problems including obesity, depression and poor cognitive development.

“Missing checkups means problems aren’t spotted early and increases the chance they will develop into something more significant, Dr. Louis St. Petery, a Florida pediatric cardiologist, told the AP.

“Checkups aren’t just made up,” said St. Petery, who is part of the class-action lawsuit. “They are essential.”

The Florida Cabinet for Children and Youth commissioned a special project last year to determine which state agencies conduct screening, and how effective they are in carrying out those screenings. The results mirror what the federal Office of Inspector General found. 

The Florida report states: “Not all children receive a screening that addresses the full range of developmental
capacities, and often the individual administering the screening lacks sufficient knowledge of child
development and skill in screening. In too many instances, screening information for children with
findings is not referred to a qualified provider for further assessment and diagnosis .”

The report recommends that Florida create a system of standardized screenings tools, processes and procedures. The read the full report, click here.