MedicaidDocumentationMedium impact
Modification to the Healthy Kids Preventive Health Schedule Effective January 1, 2023
Maryland Medicaid·MD · Pediatrics, Family Medicine·Provider Transmittal
Effective date
Jan 1, 2023
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Maryland's Healthy Kids program revalidates the annual depression screening requirement for adolescents beginning at age 11, effective January 1, 2023. Providers must use the PHQ-9 tool (modified for teens) or other objective screening tools listed in the Healthy Kids Provider Manual. This supersedes previous guidance in EPSDT Transmittal 37.
Action Required
By January 1, 2023: Providers must ensure clinical staff are trained on the PHQ-9 depression screening requirement for all adolescent patients age 11 and older. Update patient encounter templates and clinical workflows to include annual depression screening documentation. Obtain the screening tools and objective assessment instruments from the 2022 Healthy Kids Provider Manual (pages 147-149) and the GLAD-PC toolkit. Verify billing staff understand that depression screening is a covered preventive service under the Maryland EPSDT program and ensure claims are submitted with appropriate documentation showing the screening was performed. Contact EPSDT/Healthy Kids Program at 410-767-1836 with questions.