M1 Medicaid/Medicare Discussion/ paper - Essay Example

The term ‘periodic’ represents the program’s focus on periodic examination of children’s health at given age intervals to ensure health and appropriate development. EPSDT program also involves periodic screening tests covering physical, dental, hearing, vision, and mental development to identify potential problems in these areas during the process of child development (Medicaid, 2012). Upon identification of problems during the screening process, the program provides for diagnostic measures to ensure that appropriate action is taken.

This program also provides for proper treatment of conditions diagnosed to promote normal development of children from families that cannot afford to pay for medical costs. EPSDT program has been modified to allow inclusion of all persons under the age of twenty-one enrolled in Medicaid to beneficiaries of services provided under the program (Medicaid, 2012). The EPSDT program has been established to ensure that Medicaid recipients and parents receive maximum benefits from the services and resources under the health cover.

Children with special health care needs in low-income families have emerged as the main beneficiaries of this program, and it seeks to ensure that all children receive quality health care regardless of their family status. . Comparison and Contrast of the Dental Benefits of Medicare and Medicaid Medicaid has been instrumental in promoting oral health among low-income children, although several concerns have been raised concerning its effectiveness falling several incidences of dental diseases among children.

Medicaid dental health care benefits include screening of dental problems and prevention of possible dental diseases among the program enrollees (Medicaid, 2012). The Medicaid program dental services focus on the maintenance of dental health, relief of pain and infections and restoration of teeth. The CHIP dental program, which is an expansion of Medicaid program, focuses on providing dental care services required to prevent dental diseases and promote improved oral health at the least cost possible.

Such services are covered through popular commercial insurers in different states. However, several reports have been published on the problem of chronic dental diseases affecting low-income populations, especially children enrolled in Medicaid (GAO, 2008). Such reports raise questions on the effectiveness of the program in promoting improved dental care among Medicaid enrollees. On the other hand, Medicare facilitates provision of dental services provided by dental specialists in private dental institutions through the Medicare Chronic disease dental scheme.

Such services are only available to people aged sixty-five and above and people with disabilities aged sixty-five and below. However, the dental care services under program are specifically covered for people diagnosed with chronic medical conditions such as mental illnesses, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and asthma among other chronic conditions (GAO, 2008). The specific services covered under this program include fillings, dental assessment, extractions, preventive care services and dentures.

Unlike Medicaid, Medicare does not have fixed dental care programs with most programs being organized periodically. Nevertheless, the two programs have significantly contributed to availability of dental care