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Health Fact Sheets

EPSDT

What is EPSDT?

Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment, or EPSDT,  is a program of checkups and health care services for children from birth until age 21 to detect and treat health problems. EPSDT checkups are FREE for all children who have TennCare. In Tennessee, the EPSDT program covered by TennCare is called TENNderCare.

  • Early: Identifying problems early, starting at birth
  • Periodic: Checking children’s health at periodic, age-appropriate intervals.
  • Screening: Doing physical, mental, developmental, dental, hearing, vision,
    and other screening tests to detect potential problems
  • Diagnosis: Performing diagnostic tests to follow up when a risk is identified
  • Treatment: Treating the problems found

What Will Happen at the Checkup?

During your scheduled check-up, your health care provider may provide:

  • Health History
  • Complete Physical Exam
  • Lab Tests (as needed)
  • Immunizations
  • Vision and Hearing Screening
  • Development/Behavioral Screening (as needed)
  • Advice on how to keep your child healthy

Schedule for checkups

Checkups are needed on a regular basis to monitor growth and development.

Newborn

30 months

13 years

3-5 days

3 years

14 years

1 month

4 years

15 years

2 months

5 years

16 years

4 months

6 years

17 years

6 months

7 years

18 years

9 months

8 years

19 years

12 months

9 years

20 years

15 months

10 years

 

18 months

11 years

 

24 months

12 years

 

Take your child to your health care provider any time your child is sick. If you or someone who works with your child suspects a physical, mental or development problem, take your child to the doctor even if it is not time for a checkup.

Call your health care provider to make an appointment for EPSDT checkups. If you need more information, call your local health department or the Family Assistance Service Center at 1-866-311-4287.