TMPPM 2009 > Texas Medicaid Services > Texas Health Steps (THSteps) > Clinical Information

   
 

43.2.4 Screening Components With Additional Requirements

43.2.4.1 Developmental Screening

Requirements for Developmental Screening by Physicians, PAs, and NPs

Medical checkups completed by physicians, PAs, and NPs for clients who are birth through 6 years of age must include:

A standardized developmental screen (the provider's choice of observational or parent questionnaire) for a client who is 9 through 12 months of age, 18 through 24 months of age, and every other year thereafter, or when a parent expresses concern about the client's developmental progress.

A developmental screen at all other visits, including a review of milestones (gross and fine motor skills, communication skills and speech-language development, self-help and care skills, social, emotional, and cognitive development) and mental health.

Requirements for Developmental Screening by RNs

RNs that conduct THSteps medical checkups for a client who is birth through 6 years of age are required to conduct a standardized observational screen for a client who is 9 through 12 months of age or 18 through 24 months of age. If the client does not have a record of a standardized observational screen, the client should receive one between 24 months and 6 years of age. A standardized parent questionnaire is required at all other periodic visits through 6 years of age or when a parent expresses concern about the client's developmental progress. The combined use of a questionnaire and an observational screen reflects the client's developmental status more accurately than a single observational screen. If parents are unable to read or understand the questionnaire, the provider should use the parent questionnaire in an interview format. If the client fails the parent questionnaire, the provider should follow the instructions of the standardized screening tool concerning either observation testing or referral. Clients who are 7 years of age or older should be screened by observation, history of school progress, and neurological assessment.

Referrals for Developmental Assessment

Referral for an in-depth developmental evaluation is determined by the criteria of the specific tool, which the screener should understand. Referral for in-depth evaluation of development should be provided when parents express concern about their client's development, regardless of scoring on a standardized development screening tool.

An ECI program serves clients who are birth through 36 months of age with disabilities or developmental delays. Federal and state laws require a referral be made to an ECI program within 2 business days of identifying a possible developmental concern. If the client is 3 years of age or older, referral should be made to the local school district's special education program. Referrals may be based on professional judgment or a family's concern. A medical diagnosis or a confirmed developmental delay is not required for referrals.

Refer to: "Texas Health Steps Statutory State Requirements" for more information.


Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership
CPT only copyright 2008 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
PreviousNextIndex