Children must have a complete CHEC exam within 30 days of removal. Children must receive a mental health assessment within 30 days of removal. Children must receive a dental exam within 60 days of removal. These time frames are mandated by a settlement agreement signed in 1994 by the State of Utah to resolve a lawsuit brought by the Child Welfare League of America. The agreement mandates specific actions to be taken by the Utah Department of Human Services to better serve children in the custody of the State.
Many actions focus on obtaining medical services for children in custody.
In most cases, the child qualifies for Medicaid, and Medicaid covers the cost of the exams, either directly or through a health maintenance organization. In the few cases in which the child does not qualify for Medicaid, the Division of Health Care Financing makes the payment to the provider at the Medicaid rate. Like other Medicaid recipients who live in the four Wasatch front counties, children in state custody must enroll with one of the contracting HMOs. DFS staff make the choice for each child. However, a new Medicaid Card must be issued when the child is placed in a different household.