All children in Maryland under 21 years of age receiving Medical Assistance benefits (Medicaid) or Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP) benefits, including children enrolled under the Autism Waiver or the Developmental Disabilities Waiver, are eligible for services under EPSDT. Federal law requires the State to provide periodic screening, diagnosis and all "medically necessary" treatment services, including mental health services, to all Medicaid recipients under 21.

Although the federal law lists a number of specific mental health services that must be covered, that list is not exhaustive. Medicaid consumers have the right to any home or community-based mental health service that a practitioner determines is medically necessary.

Under the CHIPRA Quality Demonstration Grant, The Institute is developing curricula to train the CME staff and family support staff on EPSDT standards of care. Specifically, The Institute is working to enhance the High Fidelity Wraparound Practitioner Certificate Program to include modules on EPSDT, obesity, oral health, substance use and abuse, child development, and other preventive health topics and to support CMEs to integrate EPSDT milestones into their care planning.

For more information on EPSDT in Maryland, please visit the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's EPSDT website: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/epsdt/SitePages/Home.aspx

For more information on federal EPSDT law, regulations, and policies, please visit Medicaid's EPSDT website: http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Benefits/Early-Periodic-Screening-Diagnosis-and-Treatment.html