New Policy Explainer Series from CISWH Strengthens Access to Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs  

The newly launched “Best Practices for Adhering to Early, Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) Requirements: A Policy Explainer Series” is a resource developed to help state partners navigate Medicaid’s EPSDT benefit and strengthen access to care for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Meg Comeau, CISWH senior project director, developed the series through a partnership with the National Center for a System of Services for CYSHCN. The explainers translate complex federal Medicaid guidance into practical, plain-language resources that help Title V and family leadership organizations better understand select requirements and collaborate with state Medicaid agencies to improve systems of care.   

This new resource introduces the fundamentals of EPSDT, the comprehensive child health benefit under Medicaid, and explains its critical role in ensuring children receive timely, medically necessary services. It also explores disability-related pathways to Medicaid eligibility, and three key policy topics highlighted in guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): network adequacy across the continuum of care, beneficiary education and awareness, and care coordination and case management.   

Developed with input from Title V program staff, family leaders, Medicaid staff, and financing policy experts, the series was designed to address the real-world needs of professionals working to improve care for CYSHCN. By building foundational knowledge of EPSDT requirements and their application, the explainers provide practical tools to support stronger partnerships between Title V and Medicaid programs and help ensure Medicaid-enrolled children have access to the care they need.  

Explore the explainer series.