During pre-placement planning and at the time of placement, the child’s case manager will provide you with information about the child’s physical and mental health. In certain instances, this information is not readily available and, as a result, will not be available for you at the time of the child’s placement. If this is a child’s initial placement, the Case Manager will arrange for a physical appraisal as soon as possible. In either case, the Case Manager will provide you with information regarding the child’s physical and mental health as soon as possible. For newborn infants, hospital and other medical records should be more readily available. 

You will be asked to assist the Case Manager in obtaining routine medical care according to the early and periodic screening health checks (formerly EPSDT) schedule at least once each year. Children covered under Medicaid are automatically enrolled in the EPSDT program. Children who are not Medicaid eligible will receive their routine health screenings from a private health provider. You should be receiving the child’s Medicaid card at the beginning of each month. The agency will provide you with a list of service providers in your area who accept Medicaid. You may also request a list of Medicaid providers from the Case Manager if you did not receive one earlier.

Since you will be providing the day-to-day care for the child in your home, it is recommended that you go with the child for health examinations and treatment. Your Case Manager will provide you with any information needed by the doctor or other medical provider. It is important that you keep the child’s Case Manager abreast of any information received, verbal or in writing, from the doctor or medical provider. 

You should discuss the illness of a child and any need for treatment with the Case Manager. In case of serious illness, take the child to the emergency room of a hospital if you cannot reach the child’s physician for instructions. As soon as possible, notify the case manager at the agency or through the emergency number given you. If hospitalization should be necessary, the agency must provide the necessary authorizations. 

Most of the children in foster care are Medicaid eligible and will be covered for in-patient hospital care. Payment of in-patient hospital costs is authorized for children who are not Medicaid eligible. Expenses not covered by Medicaid are paid for out of state and county funds. Due to the limitation of these funds, we must take advantage of facilities which provide services at free or reduced costs, such as Grady Memorial Hospital, Talmadge Memorial Hospital, other general hospitals, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Scottish Rite/Eggleston Hospitals), regional mental health hospitals, Children’s Medical Services (public health), etc. Whenever possible, the local health department is used for health screenings (EPSDT), immunizations, and other procedures such as skin tests or X-rays for tuberculosis. If you receive any medical bills not covered by Medicaid for a child’s examination, treatment and prescriptions, attach them to your invoice (Form 526) at the end of the month.

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