What is screening?
“Screening” is providing physical, mental, developmental, dental, hearing, vision, and other screening tests to detect potential problems. The goal of screening in the EPSDT benefit is to detect problems as early as possible. Screening services provide the crucial link to necessary covered treatment.
Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 410-151-0004(1) explains that screening exams must follow the Bright Futures periodicity schedule and include:
- A comprehensive health and developmental history including assessment of both behavioral health and physical health development;
- Assessment of nutritional status;
- Comprehensive unclothed physical exam including inspection of teeth and gums;
- Appropriate immunizations;
- Lead testing as required by OAR 410-151-0040. This rule requires blood lead testing at ages 12 months and 24 months. Any child between ages 24 and 72 months with no record of a blood lead test must also receive one. Completion of the Lead Screening Questionnaire does not meet the blood lead testing requirement for children under Medicaid.
- Other appropriate laboratory tests (including but not limited to anemia test and sickle cell test) based on age and patient risk;
- Health education including anticipatory guidance;
- Appropriate hearing and vision screening; and
- Dental examinations and assessments for preventive dental care according to the OHP Dental Periodicity Schedule.
To learn more:
Connecting screening to treatment
Early and periodic screening increases access to the full range of services children and young adults need for their growth, development, health and education. To ensure this access, all providers should:
- Let patients and their families know about the services they can access through the EPSDT benefit.
- Follow up screenings with referrals or authorization requests for services that address issues found during the screening.
- Not assume any screenings or treatment will be denied. OHA and coordinated care organizations (CCOs) must conduct a case-by-case review for medical necessity and medical or dental appropriateness before denying any services for children and young adults under the EPSDT benefit.
OHA is hosting our next fee-for-service technical assistance webinar for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers on July 27, 2026, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Pacific Time.
The webinar will cover:
- General announcements – including changes to our technical assistance session dates for the remainder of 2026
- Highlights of common technical assistance inquiries
- Responses to any questions posed in previous SUD technical assistance sessions
- Open space for questions and answers plus sharing successes or struggles
Provider resources
How to Complete the Oregon Medicaid Trading Partner Agreement (7/23/2026)
Approved Culturally and Linguistically Specific Providers (7/24/2026)
Recent rule revisions
OAR 410-120-1295 amended to make a technical correction relocating inpatient psychiatric rates paragraph to appropriate section for clarity and compliance.
If you are new to OHP, be sure to join OHA's next monthly webinar series about navigating Open Card OHP (fee-for-service Medicaid). OHA holds this three-session series the second week of each month.
What you will learn:
- How to use the OHP Provider Resources website at OHP.Oregon.gov/Providers and provider tools
- Steps to receive payments
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Billing through the MMIS Provider Portal at https://www.or-medicaid.gov
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Checking eligibility for services
- And much more to support your success!
This is a great opportunity to get familiar with essential resources, ask questions and build confidence in working with OHA.
Meeting accommodations:
For people who speak or use a language other than English, people with disabilities or people who need additional support, we can provide free help. Please email Medicaid Provider Training at ProviderTraining-Medicaid@oha.oregon.gov or call 800-336-6016. We accept all relay calls.
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