CHDP Program Overview

Program Description

The CHDP program provides complete health assessments for the early detection and prevention of disease and disabilities for low-income children and youth. A health assessment consists of a health history, physical examination, developmental assessment, nutritional assessment, dental assessment, vision and hearing tests, a tuberculin test, laboratory tests, immunizations, health education/anticipatory guidance, and referral for any needed diagnosis and treatment.  

The CHDP program oversees the screening and follow-up components of the federally mandated Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program for Medi-Cal eligible children and youth.

In July 2003, the CHDP program began the using the "CHDP Gateway," ​an automated pre-enrollment process for non Medi-Cal, uninsured children.  The CHDP Gateway , serves as the entry point for these children to enroll in ongoing health care coverage through Medi-Cal. The CHDP Gateway is based on federal law found in Titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act that allows states to establish presumptive eligibility programs for children/youth. 

CHD​P Gateway PE coverage is full scope, and includes abortion services. ​ 

Legislative Authority

Enabling legislation of the CHDP program

• Reference: Health and Safety Code, Sections 104395, 105300, 105305, 120475, and 124025 through 124110 CHDP program regulations that implement, interpret, or make specific the enabling legislation.
• Reference: California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 17, Sections 6800 through 6874.  Medi-Cal regulations pertaining to the availability and reimbursement of EPSDT services through the CHDP program.
• Reference: CCR, Title 22, Sections 51340 and 51532.  

Program Administration

The Program is operated at the local level by local health departments for each county and three cities.

Local CHDP programs carry out community activities which include planning, evaluation and monitoring, case management, informing, providing health education materials, provider recruitment, quality assurance, and client support services such as assistance with transportation and medical, dental, and mental health appointment scheduling and encouraging the completion of an application for ongoing health care coverage. Local CHDP programs are also responsible for oversight of the Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC).

The CHDP Program is responsible for resource and provider development to ensure that high quality services are delivered and available to eligible children/youth. The program informs the target populations to increase their participation; and community agencies and residents to increase the knowledge and acceptance of preventive services. 

Funding Description

• Target population, health assessments, and active CHDP providers form the basis for each CHDP local  program's fiscal year funding from the annual state appropriation for CHDP
• Funding for county/city CHDP administrative and operational costs is based on budgets prepared by the CHDP local program and approved by the CMS Branch
• Medi-Cal children/youth under age 21 receive services under the Federal Title XIX program known as the EPSDT program. The EPSDT program is part of the Medi-Cal program and is funded by state general and federal funds.
• Low-income children/youth under age 19 with family incomes up to 266 percent of the federal income guidelines, and without preventive health care coverage are temporarily enrolled through the CHDP Gateway process into full scope, no-cost temporary Medi-Cal for the month of their CHDP health assessment and the following month. These services are funded by state general and federal funds under the EPSDT and Healthy Families (Title XXI) program.

​Enrolling Providers can utilize telephonic signatures for CHDP Gateway Applications, noting in the case file “COVID-19 protocol.” If the individual is not at the provider’s office and not experiencing an urgent health event which requires immediate care, providers should suggest to the individual to apply online using the Covered CA portal to establish ongoing eligibility for Medi-Cal or Covered California. Providers may also obtain an Authorized Representative form for the CHDP Gateway applicant, allowing an individual acting on behalf of the applicant, to provide the required information to assist with the enrollment of the individual in CHDP Gateway coverage, thereby minimizing direct contact with the individual and promoting physical distancing.

​Process