Protocols and Tips for Pediatric Lead Testing
Protocols for lead testing:
- All CenCal Health members must be given a blood lead test at age 12 months and age 24 months at a minimum. Source: California Department of Public Health Utilize Lead Testing CPT code: 83655
- Provide the patient’s parent or guardian with anticipatory guidance/health education material about lead exposure screening.
Download a handout here or utilize our online health library, Lead (Pb) Test
- If a lead test is not administered, or if a parent declines/refuses a lead test, document this in the patient’s chart.
Download a refusal form template
- Report any abnormal lead tests to your County’s Department of Public Health and the California Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch
Here are some important notes and tips to promote lead testing in your practice:
- Include an alert in your EMR system or the patient’s chart to screen for lead exposure at 12 & 24 months
- Keep a chart alert for all patients under age 6 who’ve never been tested for lead exposure
- Note that patients on any government assistance program are considered at-risk, and should be tested for lead exposure (this includes Medi-Cal/CenCal Health eligibility)
- Discuss the importance of lead exposure testing with parents at each well-child visit before 3 years of age
- Offer point-of-care lead testing in your office
For more information about pediatric lead exposure testing, you can to go:
If you have any questions about recommended lead exposure testing, please contact populationhealth@cencalhealth.org
