Child Health/EPSDT
(Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment)
The Child Health program lets children with SoonerCare get FREE medical, vision, hearing and dental check-ups and services. The goal of the program is to improve the health status of children by making sure they receive preventive services and follow-through care. Seeing a health care provider regularly, even when feeling well, may help prevent serious health problems in the future.
Services
Some services may need a referral or prior approval by your doctor. Services are free to those who qualify.
Services may include:
- Quitting Tobacco
- Exams to check your child’s physical and mental growth and nutrition status (child health checkup)
- Shots
- Vision care, including eye exams and glasses
- Lab tests and X-rays
- Medicines
- Medical equipment, including wheelchairs and medical supplies
- Hearing services, including hearing aids
- Dental care and braces (orthodontics)
- Speech and hearing services
- Mental health services
- Hospital services, including psychiatric hospitals
- Help with drug and alcohol abuse
- Physical, speech and occupational therapy
- Private duty nursing
- Any other medically necessary covered service
Qualifications
- Must be an Oklahoma resident
- Meet citizenship or legal immigration status guidelines
- Meet financial and resource standards
- Must be 20 years old or younger
You may apply in person at your local OKDHS county office. The OKDHS workers will assist you in applying for SoonerCare benefits.
After Applying
- You will receive an approval/denial letter letting you know whether you will receive SoonerCare, if you need to turn in more documentation or if your application has been denied.
- If approved, you will need to choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) right away (please see Choosing a PCP section below) and make an appointment to begin or continue your prenatal care.
- You no longer need to show your SoonerCare ID card for medical appointments. You will need to know your medical ID number to fill prescriptions. If you are asked to show an ID card, you can now print it from the member portal if you applied online. If you applied through the Department of Human Services, they can print an ID card for you.
Child Health Checkup
A child health checkup may include:
- A health history
- A physical examination
- Growth measurements
- Time to discuss any questions you have about how your child is growing and developing
- Health education and information to keep your child and family healthy
- Shots (age appropriate)
- Lab tests (if needed)
- Lead testing (as recommended)
If the provider finds a health problem during the child health checkup, he or she may send you to another provider or place to take care of it. Services needed to take care of the problem also will be free.
Choosing a Primary Care Physician
Your health care provider is called your Primary Care Provider/Case Manager or PCP/CM. Your PCP/CM is your "medical home," that will take care of you and your family's basic health care needs.
- Choose a provider from the provider directory or call the SoonerCare helpline at (800) 987-7767 or (800) 757-5979 TDD to receive a provider directory by mail
- After choosing your PCP/CM from the directory, call the SoonerCare helpline and let them know your selection
Your PCP will:
- See you for a checkup or for other routine care
- See you when you are sick or injured
- Refer you to a specialist if you need one or
- Admit you to the hospital or arrange for you to be admitted
If you have questions about the Child Health program or SoonerCare please call the SoonerCare helpline (800) 987-7767 or (800)757-5979 TDD.
