The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) service is Medicaid’s comprehensive preventive child health service (medical, dental, and case management) for individuals from birth through 20 years of age. EPSDT was created in 1967 through federal law. In Texas, EPSDT is known as Texas Health Steps, which includes the preventive care components, or Early and Periodic Screening (EPS), of the total EPSDT service. In addition, medically necessary health care services listed as federal benefits are provided to children and adolescents enrolled in Texas Health Steps even if the service is not available under the state’s Medicaid plan to the rest of the Medicaid population. In Texas, these additional services are available through the Comprehensive Care Program (CCP).

Texas Health Steps focuses on medical, dental and case management services for children ages birth through 20, and is dedicated to:

• Expanding recipient awareness of existing medical, dental and case management services through outreach and informing efforts, and;
• Recruiting and retaining a qualified provider pool to assure the availability of comprehensive preventive medical, dental and case management services.

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) administers Texas Health Steps under funding from Title XIX of the Social Security Act for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment services for children from birth through 20 years old who have Medicaid. All Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Regional offices have provider relations staff to help operate Texas Health Steps statewide. HHSC contracts with various managed care organizations statewide, including Dell Children’s Health Plan, to administer Texas Health Steps and other Medicaid benefits.

Please use the links above to learn more about Texas Health Steps services, educational offerings, support and documentation requirements.