TENNderCARE / EPSDT
TENNderCare is the Bureau of TennCare’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Program for BlueCare and TennCareSelect members under the age of 21. The program provides free Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) services. Every child under the age of 21 is eligible for TENNderCare services and should receive checkups, even if there is no apparent health problem.
At a minimum, screenings must include, but are not limited to:
- Comprehensive health and developmental history;
- Comprehensive unclothed physical examination;
- Appropriate immunizations;
- Appropriate vision and hearing testing;
- Appropriate laboratory tests; and
- Dental screening services furnished by direct referral to a dentist for children no later than 3 years of age and should be referred earlier as needed (as early as 6 to 12 months in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) guidelines) and as otherwise appropriate; and
- Health education.
After a child reaches school age, it is an enormous challenge to get parents to make appointments for routine well care. As a health care provider that cares for these children when they are ill, our Members trust you to direct them in their health care needs. Providers should review the medical history for all Members under the age of 21 to determine if he/she is due for a TENNderCare screening while he/she is in your office for acute care, or sports/camp physicals, regardless of whether the Member is assigned to you or another PCP in your group. TENNderCare services should be provided and documented during the office visit as appropriate for age and condition, and a follow-up visit scheduled, if necessary, to complete all required components of the TENNderCare examination or to further address concerns or questions remaining from the examination.
VSHP has a mechanism for notifying PCPs and families when TENNderCare services are due. For more detailed information, please refer to the BlueCare Provider Administration Manual. 
