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The EPSDT Program

Children and Teens Preventive Health Guidelines

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) is a program for children and teens under the age of 21. The EPSDT program makes sure children and teens are checked for medical problems early and as they grow. These checkups help to make sure your child is growing up healthy. If the provider finds a problem, it is treated and watched. These benefits are available to your child at no charge.

Children and teens need checkups at these ages:

1 month 12 months 4 years
2 months 15 months 5 years
4 months 18 months 6 years
6 months 24 months 8 years
9 months 3 years Every year from age 10-20
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) is a program for children and adolesce

EPSDT checkups include:

  • Medical history and physical exam
  • Growth and development checks (social, personal, language and motor skills)
  • Vision screens
  • Hearing screens
  • Dental screens
  • Nutrition
  • Lab tests, including blood lead level
  • Mental health assessment
  • Substance abuse and education
  • Immunizations (shots)
  • Health education for parents
  • Referrals for diagnosis and/or treatment when needed
  • Body Mass Index (BMI)

Passport Health Plan’s EPSDT staff works with you and your child’s primary care provider (PCP). They want to make sure your child gets the needed services at the right ages and times. Help keep your children healthy by making sure they get regular checkups and immunizations.

Immunizations (shots)

Immunizations are shots that help the body fight disease. Children will receive immunizations (shots) during some of the EPSDT checkups. Children must have all the shots they need before they can start school. Check with your child’s PCP to be sure that your child has all the needed shots.

The chart below shows the recommended ages and immunizations for children and teens.

Age                                   Immunization (Shots)
Birth to 2 months Hep B #1
1 month to 4 months Hep B #2
2 months DTap/DTP, Polio (IPV), Hib, PCV, RV
4 months DTap/DTP, Polio (IPV), Hib, PCV, RV
6 months

DTap/DTP, Hib, PCV, RV
(If RV is given at 2 and 4 months, it is not needed at 6 months)

6 to 18 months Hep B #3, Polio (IPV), Flu (yearly to age 18)
12 to 15 months Hib, MMR, PCV
12 to 18 months Varicella, Hep A
15 to 18 months DTap/DTP
4 to 6 years
(before starting school)
MMR, Dtap/DTP, Polio (IPV), *PCV
*If previously recommended doses were missing or given earlier than the recommended minimum age.
11 to 12 years MCV, Tdap, *MMR, *Varicella, *Hep B
*If previously recommended doses were missing or given earlier than the recommended minimum age.
11 to 16 years Td
2 to 10 years MCV (Range of recommended ages for some high risk groups)
2 to 18 years Hep A
Recommended in selected areas or regions
PPSV (high risk members receive 1 additional Pneumonia shot between 2 to 20 years)
12 to 26 years HPV

*This chart is subject to change.

It is important for children to have all of their EPSDT visits. If you need help or more information about the EPSDT program, call Member Services.