Video Trains Doctors
for Child Screenings

(NASHVILLE) -- TennCare is helping doctors learn about early screenings required for children in TennCare with a training video that describes the elements of well child visits for children, from newborns to adolescents. The video was developed in consultation with doctors' organizations.

State health officials say that early and periodic screenings can help prevent physical and mental health problems that require more treatment later at a greater cost.  Tennessee officials believe that all children deserve a healthy start.

The video outlines specific elements of the federal guidelines for early periodic screenings, diagnosis and treatment (EPSDT). All TennCare children and children in state custody under the age of 21 should get the screenings, which consist of:

Other information is relayed in the video about dental, tuberculin tests, cholesterol screenings, lead screenings, and for adolescents, screenings for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The video also advises the doctors about the billing codes they should use when reporting the screenings to managed care organizations (MCOs) for payment.

The 16-minute video is being provided to the Tennessee Primary Care Association, the Tennessee Nursing Association, Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians, the Tennessee chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as Tennessee Department of Health offices and all TennCare MCOs.

Doctors, clinics or other organizations may request copies of the video by contacting TennCare.

###

For further information regarding the TENNderCARE Program,
please contact:

Susanne Roy, Bureau of TennCare, EPSDT Coordinator
Office: (615) 507-6904 Fax: (615) 741-0064

Training Video