States Texas

Conditions Screened

Texas currently screens for 57 conditions

The Texas Program

Each state runs its program differently, for more detailed information please visit their website here.

Download Brochure

Here is a brochure for the state of Texas. Brochure>>

What Conditions are Screened For in Texas?

Hemoglobin Disorders

Contacts

Texas Department of State Health Services

Newborn Screening Unit
MC 1918, PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
Phone: 1-800-252-8023 ext. 3957
Fax: 512-776-7450
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/newborn/default.shtm

Newborn Screening Laboratory

Texas Department of State Health Services
MC 1947 PO Box 149347
Austin. TX 78714-9347
Phone: 1-800-252-8023 ext. 7333
Fax: 512-776-7294
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/lab/newbornscreening.shtm

Rachel Lee
Phone: 512-776-7158
[email protected]

Clinical Care Coordination Program

Karen Hess
Phone: 512-776-3376
karen.hess@dshs.texas.gov

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Ryan Hutchison
Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program Coordinator
DSHS – TEHDI Program
Rm M-260, MC 1918
PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
Phone: 512-776-7726
Fax: 512-776-7125
[email protected]

Search Educational Resources

Looking for resources? Check out our Newborn Screening Education and Training Resource Center.

VIEW RESOURCES

About Newborn Screening in Texas

Program Overview:

The Newborn Screening (NBS) Laboratory provides testing services in support of the Texas Newborn Screening Program, which tests about 730,000 newborn specimens each year. Texas law requires these laboratory tests to help find infants who may have one of the 55 conditions. Babies also receive newborn hearing screening and are screened for critical congenital heart disease before they leave the birthing facility.

The test requires a simple heel stick blood sample collected from newborns shortly after birth and another at one to two weeks of age. If the laboratory test detects an infant with an abnormal result, the NBS Program's Clinical Care Coordination team initiates the process of follow-up with a health care provider for confirmatory testing. If it is determined your child has a condition, treatment will begin immediately.

Early detection of these 55 disorders allows early treatment that can prevent serious complications, such as growth problems, developmental delays, deafness, blindness, intellectual disabilities, seizures, and early death. The faster treatment begins, the greater chances your child will live a healthy life. It is important that your doctor have a current phone number or address by which to reach you just in case your newborn’s tests come back with a possible positive result. If your doctor does reach out to you regarding the test results, respond immediately and follow all instructions as quickly as possible.

How is Newborn Screening Paid for in ­­Texas?

The newborn screening fee is $63.55 per child. Health care providers or facilities buy the specimen collection kit and it will be billed to private pay or insurance for covered patients. The Texas Department of State Health Services provides specimen collection kits at no cost to those covered by Medicaid and CHIP. DSHS is reimbursed by Medicaid and CHIP.

Policies and Resources

Opt-Out:

All newborns must participate in newborn screening unless a parent or guardian objects on religious grounds. The person who administers the screening must place a statement of refusal, signed by a parent or guardian, in the child's medical record.

Support for families:

One of the concerns many families have when they first learn their child has a condition detected by the newborn screening program is the increase in health care costs. Texas has various laws and programs which are in place to help families get access to affordable care for their loved one with a condition identified through newborn screening.

All newborns who are diagnosed with one of these conditions will be referred to the Children With Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCN) where it will be determined if they are eligible for that program’s services. To be eligible, an individual must be under 21 years old and meet financial requirements. If a child has Cystic Fibrosis (CF), they will be eligible for services throughout their entire life. If a child is determined to be eligible, they may be provided with special dietary formula to help treat their condition, among other services. To see if your child qualifies, visit the CSHCN website.

If Medicaid, Children With Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN), Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) or private insurance is not available to provide care for an individual with a condition, the Newborn Screening Benefits Program can provide limited assistance. To be eligible, the individual must have a condition detected by newborn screening or have an out-of-range newborn screen, be a Texas resident, have income within the guidelines and be able to provide documentation of all the requirements upon request. The program will provide medical food, medications, vitamins and other testing and follow-up care at no cost or at a reduced cost to those approved for the program benefits. Funding will be limited to those with an income at or below 350% of the federal poverty income guideline who meet other program guidelines. 

Storage and Use of Dried Blood Spots:

For further information about the storage and use of dried blood spots, visit the Texas State Department of State Health Services website.

To see a copy of the blood spot card used in Texas click here.

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