Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC)

Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) is the name for Minnesota's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program. EPSDT is a federal program required in every state to provide comprehensive health care and dental services for children under the age of 21 who are eligible for Medicaid. Review the Medicaid EPSDT webpage for more information about EPSDT. C&TC visits should happen frequently for babies and toddlers and at least annually for children age 3 years and older. The frequency of visits and visit components can be seen on the C&TC Schedule of Age-Related Screening Standards (DHS_3379) (PDF). C&TC visits are a covered benefit with no cost to you and meet the health checkup requirements for school, Head Start, WIC, child care and camp and sports participation physicals.

Regular checkups give you and your health care provider an opportunity to monitor growth and development, receive vaccinations, screen for and identify potential concerns and treat them to prevent bigger problems later on. If your child fell behind with regular checkups or immunizations during COVID, now is the time to get back on track.

Where can I get a C&TC visit?
- Your doctor or clinic
  - Children enrolled in a health plan must get their checkups from providers in that health plan network
- Some local public health departments
You can get help finding a doctor or dentist, making an appointment, finding transportation and arranging for an interpreter if needed.
- Refer to Child and Teen Checkups Coordinator (PDF) and call your county or tribal coordinator
- Call your health plan member services (phone number listed on the back of your insurance card)
- Call the MinnesotaCare office for transportation under MinnesotaCare
Why is preventive care (C&TC) important?
- To support healthy growth and development at every age
- Regular checkups help keep children healthy
- Early identification, diagnosis and treatment of any potential health problems or disabilities
- Help develop good health habits, including healthy eating and physical activity
- Healthy children are ready to learn and reach their full potential
What’s included in a visit?
- Information about physical and mental health
- Complete head-to-toe physical exam
- Immunizations, when needed
- Hearing check
- Vision check
- Lab tests, when needed
- Checks on development and growth
- Oral health screening and a referral to the dentist
- Time to ask questions and get answers about your child's health, behavior and development
- Time to discuss your child’s thoughts, feelings and relationships
How often should I take my child for a checkup?
How often a child gets a health checkup depends on the child's age. Visits are recommended at these ages:
- How often a child gets a health checkup depends on the child's age. Refer to the C&TC Schedule of Age-Related Screening Standards (DHS-3379) (PDF). Visits are recommended at these ages:
- Between birth and 1 month
- At 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 months
- Every year starting at age 3 through age 20
- More often if needed
- A child should get regular dental checkups starting at the eruption of the first tooth or by age 1. Refer to the C&TC Age-Related Dental Standards (DHS-5544) (PDF) for more information.
Why are C&TC visits important?
- Regular checkups help keep children healthy
- Screenings can detect possible concerns early
- Tests and follow up are performed if needed
- Healthy children are ready to learn and reach their full potential

For more helpful information

Review the Child and Teen Checkups publications and resources webpage.