Study of selected outcomes of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program in Michigan.

Michigan's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program has screened more than 1.1 million Medicaid-eligible children since its inception in 1973. A study of its effects showed screening referral rates, but not medical costs, to be inversely related generally to the number of lifetime screenings received. Referrals from screening declined, on average, 4 to 9 percent as the number of lifetime screenings increased from 1 to 4. Medical costs for EPSDT participants were about 7 percent lower than medical costs for non-EPSDT participants when program costs were considered. Although the author acknowledges that a definitive study of EPSDT program effects has yet to be accomplished, he believes that modest gains are attributable to the program.