Lead screening

Every child in the NJ FamilyCare program (Medicaid), regardless of risk, must be tested:

• Between 9 months and 18 months of age (preferably at 12 months) 
• At 18–26 months of age (preferably at 24 months) 

Children between 24 and 72 months of age who have not previously had a blood lead test should be tested immediately, regardless of the verbal risk assessment.

Verbal risk assessment

Providers should do a verbal risk assessment for lead exposure at every visit with children who are between 6 months of age and 72 months of age.

These are the questions you’ll want to ask:

• Does your child live in or regularly visit a house built before 1978? Does the house have chipping or peeling paint?
  
• Was your child’s day care center/preschool/babysitter’s home built before 1978? Does the house have chipping or peeling paint?
  
• Does your child live in or regularly visit a house built before 1978 with recent, ongoing or planned renovation or remodeling?
  
• Have any of your children or their playmates had lead poisoning?
  
•  Does your child frequently come in contact with an adult who works with lead? (Examples: construction, welding, pottery or other trades practiced in your community)
  
• Do you give your child home or folk remedies that may contain lead?

Responses

If all answers are negative, risk is considered low for high exposure.
 

• All children at low risk need blood lead testing by a certain age.

If any answer is yes or “I don’t know,” risk is considered high.
 

• All children at high risk need testing immediately.

Risk can change, so be sure to continue asking these questions at every visit that follows. 

Members have access to this program at no extra cost. If a child has elevated blood lead levels of 5 ug/dL or greater, you’ll want to refer them to this program. Our team will coordinate care with the local health departments to identify environmental hazards. We’ll talk with the member’s family about their health concerns and goals. And they’ll get a personalized care plan to help guide them every step of the way.

To refer a child to our Lead Care Management Program, you can:

• Call Provider Services: 1-855-232-3596 (TTY: 711).
• Fax the completed lead test(s) to us directly: 959-282-1622. Be sure to include a note that says you’re referring the member for Lead Care Management.

MedTox is an in-network lab that offers lead testing to members at your provider office. This method measures blood lead levels using a capillary (finger stick) blood sample and filter paper. It’s a fast, less invasive and simpler way to complete testing at your office. It can also more positively affect the number of children tested for lead.

Want more info on the MedTox method? You can contact Joe Huffer at 1-877-725-7241 or HufferJ@Labcorp.com. Or you can visit the website to learn more. 

• 83655: lead test
• 83655 52*: lead test
• 36405 59**: venipuncture for children under 3 years of age, scalp vein
• 36406 59**: venipuncture for children under 3 years of age, other vein
• 36410 59**: venipuncture for children 3 years and older, non-routine
• 36415 59**: venipuncture for children 3 years and older, routine
• 36416 59**: collection of capillary blood specimen (finger, heel and ear stick)
• *52 modifier: for when there is a reduced service
• **59 modifier: for a distinct procedural service

• CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
• Information on Sources of Lead Contamination
• Healthy Food to Keep your Child Safe from Lead
• Lead Best Practices