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Tips

Utilize these tips to improve your EPSDT screening activities to meet your 80% EPSDT compliance rate. AHS Provider Relations Representatives are available to help you in any needed areas.

12 Tips For Increasing Your EPSDT Screening Rate

1 - Designate an EPSDT Coordinator to be in charge of your practice's EPSDT Program.
This person will serve as the point of contact with Automated Health Systems and coordinate all EPSDT services within your practice, such as reviewing the due and overdue screens on each month's panel list, scheduling EPSDT check-ups at every opportunity.

2 - Have your entire office staff become familiar with the FCN/EPSDT Panel List.
By working as a team your practice can seize every opportunity to complete a screen on panel members scheduled for either a sick visit or required physical exam (e.g., WIC, driver's test exam, sports physical, camp physical).

3 - Utilize your office's resources.
If you use electronic scheduling, program your computer to alert you when a panel member calls to schedule an appointment so you can allot enough time to incorporate an EPSDT check-up during the visit.

4 - Complete the EPSDT CMS-1500 forms accurately.
An incomplete or inaccurate CMS-1500 form will not be paid at the enhanced EPSDT rates. To avoid any delay in payment, have your EPSDT Coordinator review all EPSDT forms for completeness prior to their submission.

5 - Mark your panel members' charts.
Mark your panel members' charts with our EPSDT stickers to quickly identify panel members who may be eligible for an EPSDT check-up.

6 - Send a reminder postcard to panel members due for an EPSDT check-up.
It can contain a simple statement advising the recipient/parent to call your office to make an appointment for a free EPSDT check-up. Many offices are having great success with this method of notification.

7 - Work with AHS to encourage your "hard to reach" or medically non-compliant panel members to participate in EPSDT.
If no-shows are a problem, document missed appointments in the members' charts, complete a no-show form and fax it to our Helpline at (412-367-6184). AHS' Customer Service Representatives will attempt to reschedule the EPSDT check-up and/or contact a community based agency for help in reaching families who have missed multiple appointments.

8 - Calculate your office's monthly EPSDT goal.
Your Provider Relations Representative or QI Nurse will be glad to help you determine the number of EPSDT check-ups due each month and track your progress in achieving your 80% screening goal.

9 - Use a log or tracking sheet.
Some offices have success keeping current with information about their panel, dates screens are due, and scheduled screening appointments by using a computerized log. If you are interested in starting a log tracking sheet, contact your Provider Relations Representative.

10 - Notify the Helpline Unit at 1-800-KIDS-MED (press 2 then press 5) when you discover members of your panel who are mislinked to your practice or seeing other doctors.
AHS will contact the member and assist her/him in selecting an appropriate PCCM. This will help you to meet your screening goal by ensuring that the members listed on your panel are correctly linked to your practice.

11 - Provide incentives to staff.
Offering a nominal monetary reward or recognizing staff who routinely identify EPSDT check-up opportunities will greatly improve staff's motivation to go the extra mile in ensuring that your FCN members take advantage of the EPSDT Program.

12 - Try different appointment scheduling techniques.
Because every practice is unique, the best way to discover what ideas work best in your office is to try some or all of the above tips for a period of time. As you evaluate the effectiveness of each tip, adjust your approach to best suit your practice. Remember, AHS will work with you and support your efforts to achieve your EPSDT goal!