Well-child checkups

What is a well-child checkup?

Well-child checkups are regular visits with your child's health care provider to stay up to date on your child's physical, emotional, and social development. These visits are covered under Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) and are a chance to learn as much as you can about the best ways to help your child grow and be healthy.

Well-child checkups are a part of Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) services. EPSDT is a comprehensive and preventive health care benefit for Apple Health clients under the age of 21 years old.

Why get a well-child checkup?

Taking your child or teen to their regular checkups is an important part of making sure they stay healthy and on track to meeting their wellness goals.

Well-child visits are about more than just your child’s physical health. These checkups are also a chance to discuss developmental and behavioral health concerns, get support for your child’s well-being, and ask any questions. Sharing concerns with your child's health care provider can help find and treat problems early.

Some of the things you may talk about at the visit may be your:

• Child’s growth and development.
• Family’s health.
• Everyday life and challenges.
• Successes and milestones.

All children should have regular wellness visits and health screenings to ensure better health outcomes.

What happens during a well-child checkup?

During a well-child checkup your child or teen will have a complete physical exam as well as time to discuss and address topics not included during sick child visits, these topics include:  

• Blood lead screening.
• Developmental and behavioral health screening.
• Eating or sleeping problems.
• Family health history.
• General health and well-being.
• Hearing or vision screening.
• How your child is growing.
• Oral health.
• Parent/caregiver concerns.
• Immunizations/vaccines and tests needed.
• Guidance or advice on the next stage for your child/teen, and what to expect.

Your health care provider may refer you and your child for additional assessments or recommend services with other specialty providers to address concerns identified during the well-child checkup.

When to schedule an appointment

Contact your health care provider to find a schedule that works best for your family. At a minimum, your child should get a check-up at the following ages:

• Before age 1: at 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months
• Ages 1 - 4 years: 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, 3 years, and 4 years
• Ages 5 - 20 years: once a year

Is transportation to and from well-child checkups available?

Yes. Apple Health covers nonemergency medical transportation for eligible clients to and from covered services, including well-child checkups, through contracted brokers when eligibility requirements are met. For more information, see HCA's Transportation services (nonemergency) webpage.

For information on how to schedule an appointment or find a primary care provider (PCP), visit the Make my first appointment webpage.