Chapter 3 makes recommendations to address the unmet behavioral health needs of children and youth enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP and potentially prevent out-of-home placements. Home- and community-based services for children and adolescents with significant mental health conditions are often unavailable or difficult to access. Inability to access intensive home- and community-based behavioral health services can result in out-of-home placements and involvement with the foster care and juvenile justice systems.
The Commission recommends that the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services direct relevant agencies to issue joint subregulatory guidance that addresses the design and implementation of benefits for children and adolescents with significant mental health conditions covered by Medicaid and CHIP. The second recommendation calls on the Secretary to direct a coordinated effort to provide education, technical assistance, and planning support to expand access to such services.
From: June 2021 Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP