Library: Policy
317:30-3-65.4. Screening components
Revised 9-1-19
Comprehensive Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) screenings are performed by, or under the supervision of, a SoonerCare physician or other SoonerCare practitioner. SoonerCare physicians are defined as all licensed allopathic and osteopathic physicians in accordance with the rules and regulations covering the Oklahoma Health Care Authority's (OHCA) SoonerCare program. Other SoonerCare practitioners are defined as all contracted physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses in accordance with the rules and regulations covering the OHCA's SoonerCare program. At a minimum, screening examinations must include, but not be limited to, the following components:
(1) Comprehensive health and developmental history.Health and developmental history information may be obtained from the parent or other responsible adult who is familiar with the member's history and include an assessment of both physical and mental health development. Coupled with the physical examination, this includes:
(A) Developmental assessment.Developmental assessment includes a range of activities to determine whether an individual's developmental processes fall within a normal range of achievement according to age group and cultural background. Screening for development assessment is a part of every routine, initial and periodic screening examination. Acquire information on the member's usual functioning as reported by the member, teacher, health professional or other familiar person. Review developmental progress as a component of overall health and well-being given the member's age and culture. As appropriate, assess the following elements:
(i) Gross and fine motor development;
(ii) Communication skills, language and speech development;
(iii) Self-help, self-care skills;
(iv) Social-emotional development;
(v) Cognitive skills;
(vi) Visual-motor skills;
(vii) Learning disabilities;
(viii) Psychological/psychiatric problems;
(ix) Peer relations; and
(x) Vocational skills.
(B) Assessment of nutritional status.Nutritional assessment may include preventive treatment and follow-up services including dietary counseling and nutrition education if appropriate. This is accomplished in the basic examination through:
(i) Questions about dietary practices;
(ii) Complete physical examination, including an oral dental examination;
(iii) Height and weight measurements;
(iv) Laboratory test for iron deficiency; and
(v) Serum cholesterol screening, if feasible and appropriate.
(2) Comprehensive unclothed physical examination. Comprehensive unclothed physical examination includes the following:
(A) Physical growth.Record and compare height and weight with those considered normal for that age. Record head circumference for children under one year of age. Report height and weight over time on a graphic recording sheet.
(B) Unclothed physical inspection.Check the general appearance of the member to determine overall health status and detect obvious physical defects. Physical inspection includes an examination of all organ systems such as pulmonary, cardiac, and gastrointestinal.
(3) Immunizations.Legislation created the Vaccine for Children Program effective October 1, 1994. Vaccines are provided free of charge to all enrolled providers for SoonerCare eligible children and adolescents. Participating providers may bill for an administration fee set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on a regional basis. They may not refuse to immunize based on inability to pay the administration fee.
(4) Appropriate laboratory tests.A blood lead screening test (by either finger stick or venipuncture) must be performed between the ages of nine and 12 months and at 24 months. A blood lead test is required for any child up to age 72 months who had not been previously screened. A blood lead test equal to or greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL) obtained by capillary specimen (fingerstick) must be confirmed using a venous blood sample. If a child is found to have blood lead levels equal to or greater than 10 ug/dL, the Oklahoma Childhood Lead Poison Prevention Program (OCLPPP) must be notified according to rules set forth by the Oklahoma State Board of Health defined in Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 310:512-3-5.
(A) The OCLPPP schedules an environmental inspection to identify the source of the lead for children who have a persistent blood lead level 15 ug/dL or greater. Environmental inspections are provided through the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) upon notification from laboratories or providers and reimbursed through the OSDH cost allocation plan approved by OHCA.
(B) Medical judgment is used in determining the applicability of all other laboratory tests or analyses to be performed unless otherwise indicated on the periodicity schedule. If any laboratory tests or analyses are medically contraindicated at the time of the screening, they are provided when no longer medically contraindicated. Laboratory tests should only be given when medical judgment determines they are appropriate. However, laboratory tests should not be routinely administered.
(5) Health education.Health education is a required component of screening services and includes anticipatory guidance. At the outset, the physical and dental assessment, or screening, gives the initial context for providing health education. Health education and counseling to parents, guardians or members is required. It is designed to assist in understanding expectations of the member's development and provide information about the benefits of healthy lifestyles and practices as well as accident and disease prevention.
(6) Vision and hearing screens.Vision and hearing services are subject to their own periodicity schedules. However, age-appropriate vision and hearing assessments may be performed as a part of the screening as outlined at OAC 317:30-3-65.7 and 317:30-3-65.9.
(7) Dental screening services.An oral screening may be included in the EPSDT screening and as a part of the nutritional status assessment. Federal regulations require a direct dental referral for every member in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry periodicity schedule and at other intervals as medically necessary. Therefore, when an oral screening is done at the time of the EPSDT screening, the member may be referred directly to a dentist for further screening and/or treatment. Specific dental services are outlined in OAC 317:30-3-65.8.
(8) Maternal depression screens. A maternal depression screening may be provided to the child's mother during the child's EPSDT screening as per the established guidelines in the American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Futures' periodicity schedule.
(9) Reporting suspected abuse and/or neglect. Instances of child abuse and/or neglect are to be reported in accordance with state law, including, but not limited to, 10A Oklahoma Statute (O.S.) ' 1-2-101 and 43A O.S. ' 10-104. Any person suspecting child abuse or neglect shall immediately report it to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) hotline, at 1-800-522-3511; any person suspecting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult shall immediately report it to the local DHS County Office, municipal or county law enforcement authorities, or, if the report occurs after normal business hours, the DHS hotline. Health care professionals who are requested to report incidents of domestic abuse by adult victims with legal capacity shall promptly make a report to the nearest law enforcement agency, per 22 O.S. ' 58.
