Regular, periodic well-child visits during the first year of life are an opportune time to screen for parental depression, which can have detrimental effects on caregiving and the well-being of both the parent and the child. Recent federal guidance allows states to include screening for maternal depression as part of a well-child visit, and limited treatment for depressed mothers, within the context of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) Medicaid program for children.
The National Academy for State Health Policy’s website states that the main sources of this policy information are state Medicaid agency websites and provider guidance. Any information not cited by the National Academy for State Health Policy is from communication with the state’s Medicaid agency. Information is accurate as of January 2021. This data was not updated for the State of Babies Yearbook: 2023, as new data were not yet available. Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services. (2016). Maternal depression screening and treatment: A critical role for Medicaid in the care of mothers and children. https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib051116.pdf
Source:
National Academy for State Health Policy. (2021). Medicaid policies for maternal depression screening during well-child visits, by state. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://healthychild.nashp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Maternal-Depression-Screen-updates-4-1-2021.pdf