Testing Requirements

Universal Screening (Testing)

On March 10, 2022, Governor Holcomb signed House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1313 into law requiring healthcare providers to confirm that children under 7 have been tested for lead, and if not, to offer this testing to the parent or guardian of that child. The bill is slated to take effect January 1, 2023.

IDOH Guidance for Implementation of Lead Screening Requirements from House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1313   Updated 11/30/2022

Blood Lead Test Refusal Attestation (Sample)

Guidance and Standards for Health Care Providers:

• To ensure uniformity between HEA 1313 and the Medicaid Early and Periodic, Screening, Diagnostics, and Treatment (EPDST) guidelines, IDOH is requiring all providers to follow the steps below:

1. Children should receive a blood lead test between the ages of nine (9) and thirteen (13) months, or as close as reasonably possible to the patient’s appointment.
2. Children should have another blood lead test between the ages of twenty-one (21) and twenty-seven (27) months, or as close as reasonable possible to the patient’s appointment.
3. Any child between twenty-eight (28) and seventy-two (72) months that does not have a record of any prior blood lead test must have a blood lead test performed as soon as possible.

• If a provider can verify, via the Children’s Health and Immunization registry Program (CHIRP), or the records from another provider, that blood lead testing has occurred at the required interval(s), they are not obligated to repeat the procedure.
• If a parent or guardian refuses to allow their child to be tested, providers are encouraged to document the refusal in writing and have the parent or guardian sign an attestation of refusal.

Blood Lead Test Reporting Requirements Information

IDOH State Laboratory Testing Supplies and Specimen Analysis Ordering Information

• Indiana statute requires that ALL children enrolled in Medicaid are to receive a blood lead level test at 12 and 24 months of age. Any child between 24 and 72 months with no record of a previous blood lead screening test must receive one.
• All refugee infants and children up to age 16, particularly refugee and internationally adopted children, should be evaluated with a blood test for lead exposure at the domestic medical screening visit. Repeat blood lead testing for all refugee infants and children >6 years of age, regardless of initial screening BLL results is to be done within 3-6 months after initial testing.