Bill Proposes Enabling Same-Day Access to Physical and Mental Health Care for Kids on Medicaid

Behavioral Health Business April 18, 2024
Laura Lovett

Lawmakers have introduced a new bill to Congress that would enable children with Medicaid to access physical and behavioral health care appointments on the same day.

Dubbed the Improving CARE for Youth Act, the bill aims to improve access to behavioral health services for pediatric patients.

Congressman Dr. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Congresswoman Angie Craig (Minn.-D) introduced the bill to the House on Tuesday.

Presently, providers can only bill once per day for Medicaid patients. This bill would amend the Social Security Act to allow primary care doctors who want to refer a child to a behavioral health provider on their team to do so and have both visits reimbursed.

“Our youth’s mental health is worse than it’s ever...

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