Below are some frequently asked questions from KIDMED RECIPIENTS. KIDMED PROVIDERS CLICK HERE.

KIDMED Recipient FAQs
• What is KIDMED?
• How does KIDMED work?
• Will I lose the medical card if my children get KIDMED?
• If my children get LaCHIP, do they get KIDMED?
• My case worker filled out a KIDMED form when I applied for Medicaid. Do I still have to do anything to have my children in KIDMED?
• My child is very healthy. Why does he need another KIDMED exam?
• Can all my children have KIDMED medical and dental checkups?
• How often should my child get a KIDMED exam?
• How do I know if my child’s doctor is in the KIDMED program?
• I took my sick child to my KIDMED doctor and he didn’t give my baby his shots. Why?
• What do I do if we move away from my child’s KIDMED clinic?
• What if my child no longer wants to go to a pediatrician? Can I change to another KIDMED provider?


Q. What is KIDMED?
A. KIDMED is a program of Louisiana Medicaid that provides preventive health care for Medicaid-covered children under the age of 21. The goal of KIDMED is to find and treat health problems early and to ensure that healthy children stay that way. KIDMED gives children medical exams every so often, including hearing and vision checks after age 4. KIDMED gives immunizations at the appropriate ages and includes lab tests to look for certain common problems.

Q. How does KIDMED work?
A. Each child is linked to a KIDMED provider chosen by the parent or guardian. That provider will see the child for KIDMED screenings at certain ages, making sure the child is seen for further care if any problems are found. That provider will also remind the parent when the child is due to come into the office for the next KIDMED screening.

Back to Top

Q. Will I lose the medical card if my children get KIDMED?
A. No – KIDMED services are part of the Medicaid services available with the medical card. And there are no extra eligibility requirements to meet for children under 21 to have KIDMED services.

Q. If my children get LaCHIP, do they get KIDMED?
A. Children who are certified through LaCHIP may receive the full range of Medicaid services, including KIDMED services.

Q. My case worker filled out a KIDMED form when I applied for Medicaid.
Do I still have to do anything to have my children in KIDMED?
A. If you have not been called or contacted by a KIDMED representative, you may contact the KIDMED office at 1-800-259-4444 to let a KIDMED representative know who you want your children’s KIDMED provider to be.

Q. My child is very healthy. Why does he need another KIDMED exam?
A. KIDMED helps your child stay healthy by looking for problems before your child gets sick. These screening exams help to find things in the very beginning, while they may be easier to take care of. KIDMED exams can help keep your child healthy!

Q. Can all my children have KIDMED medical and dental checkups?
A. Yes - all Medicaid-covered children and youth under age 21 are eligible for KIDMED services, which include medical and dental checkups.

Q. How often should my child get a KIDMED exam?
A. This depends on the age of your child. KIDMED recommends screenings at the following ages: newborn, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, and every two years after age 6. Dental checkups are recommended yearly.

Back to Top

Q. How do I know if my child’s doctor is in the KIDMED program?
A. KIDMED representatives at 1-800-259-4444 can tell you if your child’s doctor is a KIDMED provider and can tell you who the KIDMED providers are in your area.

Q. I took my sick child to my KIDMED doctor and he didn’t give my baby his shots. Why?
A. First of all, it is good that you recognize the need for vaccines. Complications from vaccine preventable illnesses include:

• Pain
• Time missed from school or work
• Hospitalization
• Long term disabilities such as blindness or deafness
• Death

Vaccines protect the health of your children and the emotional and financial well-being of your family and community. Vaccines can be given to your child, even when he or she has a mild illness. For more information about vaccines for you and your child, you can go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/Parents-Guide/default.htm

Secondly, the person that can answer your question is your doctor. Ask questions. If you don’t understand what your doctor is doing or not doing, ask for an explanation. Otherwise, your doctor will think you have all of the information that you want or need. Make a list before you go to the doctor. If you forget something, call the doctor’s office. They are there to help you and your child stay healthy.

Q. What do I do if we move away from my child’s KIDMED clinic?
A. You can contact the Louisiana KIDMED hotline at 1-800-259-4444. A KIDMED representative will help you select a provider in your area who will perform KIDMED services for your child.

Q. What if my child no longer wants to go to a pediatrician? Can I change to another KIDMED provider?
A. Yes, you may choose another KIDMED provider for your child by calling the Louisiana KIDMED hotline at 1-800-259-4444.

Back to Top

KIDMED Provider FAQs
• How does KIDMED fit into the EPSDT program?
• What support services do I receive from the KIDMED program?
• I have recently been approved as a KIDMED provider and would like to distribute flyers advertising our clinic. May I do this?
In addition, our clinic has health education brochures that would be beneficial to parents. Can I distribute these?
• How can I tell which KIDMED patients are linked to me?
• If a child is not linked to me, can I screen the child?
• If I need to refer a child with a suspected condition but cannot find a specialist to see the child, what can I do?
• I am a KIDMED provider in an area that will become a CommunityCARE parish. I will not be a CommunityCARE Primary Care Provider (PCP). Will I lose all my KIDMED patients?

Q. How does KIDMED fit into the EPSDT program?
A. KIDMED is the screening component of EPSDT and includes medical, hearing, and vision screenings. The general term "EPSDT" refers to all Medicaid services available to recipients under age 21.

Back to Top I To Providers FAQs

Q. What support services do I receive from the KIDMED program?
A. The KIDMED office staff is available to assist you with many aspects of the program:
• Each provider receives a monthly report listing linked children and their screening due dates.
• A regional nurse is assigned to each KIDMED provider and can answer questions and provide training on clinical issues and compliance with KIDMED program guidelines.
• KIDMED staff conduct education outreach to Medicaid recipients.
• Toll free telephone support is available at 1-800-259-8000 for additional assistance.
• For non-CommunityCARE providers, KIDMED staff can assist with scheduling patients and reminding them of upcoming appointments.

Q. I have recently been approved as a KIDMED provider and would like to distribute flyers advertising our clinic. May I do this? In addition, our clinic has health education brochures that would be beneficial to parents. Can I distribute these?
A. KIDMED providers are encouraged to develop and use health education materials. However, all materials that directly reference KIDMED or Louisiana Medicaid must be approved by the Louisiana KIDMED office prior to distribution, including marketing materials such as flyers, posters, KIDMED screening reminders, etc.

Back to Top I To Providers FAQs

Q. How can I tell which KIDMED patients are linked to me?
A. You should receive the RS-0-07 report each month that lists your KIDMED patients, along with the next screening due date for each patient. You may also receive the EP-0-10, generated on a weekly basis, to notify you that a recipient has just been linked to you.

Q. If a child is not linked to me, can I screen the child?
A. If you know the child is not linked to you, call the toll free KIDMED hotline at 1-800-259-8000 to see if the child is linked to another provider. If the child is linked to another provider and is not out of periodicity, you may not screen the child. If the child is not linked to anyone, you may screen the child, and the parent may request that the child be linked to you at that time.

Q. If I need to refer a child with a suspected condition but cannot find a specialist to see the child, what can I do?
A. The KIDMED referral administrators can assist you in locating Medicaid providers, including specialists. The Specialty Care Resource Line number is 1-877-455-9955.

Q. I am a KIDMED provider in an area that will become a CommunityCARE parish. I will not be a CommunityCARE Primary Care Provider (PCP). Will I lose all my KIDMED patients?
A. Community CARE PCPs are responsible for KIDMED services for their Community CARE patients under age 21. However, they may choose to subcontract out the actual KIDMED services to a KIDMED provider. Providing these subcontracted services for Community CARE PCPs would allow you to continue providing KIDMED services. You may also provide services to recipients that are exempt from the Community CARE program but are still eligible for KIDMED.

Back to Top I To Providers FAQs