Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is a statewide program for families with children, age 0 to 3 years, with disabilities or developmental delays. ECI supports families to help children reach their developmental potential.
All health care providers are required to identify and refer children up to 35 months of age suspected of having a developmental disability or delay, or of being at risk of delay, to ECI for screening and assessment as soon as possible but no longer than seven days after identification.
Families and professionals work together to develop an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) for appropriate services based on the unique needs of the child. The IFSP describes the member's disability or delay, services required, and the individual accountable for service delivery. It becomes a permanent part of the member's medical record. The local ECI program implements and coordinates ongoing case management.
Appropriate services are provided in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, including the PCP, member, family, ECI case manager, plan staff and any other team professional.
BCBSTX may not limit services recommended in the IFSP. Educational materials are approved by the Texas Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention.
Services by non-network providers are permitted when no in-network provider is available.