Bipartisan Bill Directs CMS to Add Stuttering Screening to EPSDT
Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced the Kidd's Stuttering Act on Wednesday, directing CMS to add stuttering and fluency screening to Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) services. The legislation would require Medicaid to cover screening and treatment for stuttering in children enrolled in the program. If enacted, state Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations would need to ensure network adequacy for speech-language pathology services and update coverage policies to include fluency disorder screening as part of well-child visits.
Mandating stuttering screening under EPSDT would expand covered services for Medicaid child populations, requiring states and MCOs to credential additional speech-language pathologists and potentially adjust capitation rates to account for increased utilization.
CHIP · Managed Care
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