Comparing Preventive Visits of Children in Foster Care with other Children in Medicaid

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study compared preventive medical and dental visits of Georgia children in foster care with other children enrolled in Medicaid to determine if utilization differed. METHODS: Two logistic regressions estimated the likelihood of an annual Health Check screening and the likelihood of at least one dental visit. RESULTS: Compared with children in foster care, children in the adoption assistance ([AOR] .37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.35-0.40), SSI (AOR .37, 95% CI = 0.35-0.38) and low-income (AOR .40, 95% CI = 0.39-0.42) Medicaid categories were less likely to receive an annual Health Check screening. Children in adoption assistance were also less likely to have a dental visit during the study period. CONCLUSION: Policies require a Health Check visit upon placement into foster care and annual check-ups consistent with pediatric guidelines; we found more Early and Periodic Screening, Detection, and Treatment screenings for foster care children in Georgia than for other children receiving Medicaid.