Improve Early Grade-Level Reading

Increase Well-Child Visits

Preventive and developmental health services positively affect children’s health and educational success. The federal government sets a benchmark of 80 percent of Medicaid-enrolled children receiving at least one health screen each year. Only seven states report meeting this mark for 1- and 2-year-olds, and four report meeting it for 3 to 5 year-olds. [i] For more information click here .

What Can Policymakers Do?

· Provide coverage under Medicaid and SCHIP for developmental screenings and parental depression assessments. Illinois , Iowa, and Minnesota clarified that primary care physicians may bill for developmental screening under Medicaid.[ii] Iowa established well-child screening tools by age including a simple two question maternal depression screen that leads to an overall paternal depression assessment. [iii] By reimbursing for parental depression assessments under the child’s Medicaid coverage Illinois increased the identification of such mental health concerns. [iv]

· Ensure children have a medical home and provide outreach to all children enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP to ensure they have a regular source of medical care (medical home). Washington and Iowa passed legislation that both defines and requires that all children have a medical home. Iowa also requires agency contact with children newly enrolled in Medicaid to help them secure a regular source of primary care and schedule a well-child visit, including providing transportation.