Behavioral Health Business July 5, 2022
The rate of mental health services for children on Medicaid declined from the average pre-pandemic levels.
In January, children under age 19 received about 23% fewer services for mental health. Children ages 15 to 18 saw substance use disorder (SUD) treatment rates drop by about 24% compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to a preliminary utilization data report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
While CMS did not provide an explanation for the drop in services, this comes at a time when youth mental health appears to be worsening.
Pre-pandemic, about 37% of American high schoolers reported depressive symptoms. That was an increase of about 40% in 2019 compared to 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control...