Starting this month we will add a formal developmental screening to our well child visits, in accord with recently published recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. We will use a validated developmental screening tool at the 9, 18, and 30 month visits. However, there is not currently a recommended or covered 30 month visit, so we may have to do it at the 24 month visit as the guidelines recommend when a 30 month visit is not available.
This is very different than just a checklist of developmental milestones, which we have always done and will continue to do at all well visits in infants, toddlers, and young children. Developmental screening is a process using a survey that has been proven to detect developmental delays that need further watching or evaluation.
The goal of early detection is, of course, early treatment since children are growing and developing rapidly, and need to progress through the various stages of development so that permanent developmental delays or disabilities do not develop.
It is unclear whether insurance companies will cover this screening or not. We do have to pay for the test so we will use standard coding guidelines to code for performing the test. Hopefully, the insurance companies will comply with standard guidelines and cover these important tests. Regardless of coverage, our goal is to provide the very best and most comprehensive and evidence-based care for kids, and these screenings are an important part of attaining that goal.