Learn about behavioral health screenings for children younger than age 21.
MassHealth primary care providers (PCPs) are required to offer standardized behavioral health screenings to patients from birth to age 21.
These screenings fall under periodic and medically necessary interperiodic EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment) or PPHSD (Preventive Pediatric, Health-Care Screening and Diagnosis) screens, according to the EPSDT Services Medical Protocol and Periodicity Schedule (Appendix W of the MassHealth provider manuals).
PCPs must choose a clinically appropriate behavioral health screening tool from a menu of approved standardized tools when
conducting a behavioral-health screen at each periodic or interperiodic visit.
Use the links below to
- understand the requirement;
- learn about the approved standardized behavioral-health screening tools; and
- know what to do when a behavioral-health need is identified.
