Lagging coverage for mental health services among children and adolescents through home and community-based Medicaid waivers. 2023

Jessica Keim-Malpass, and Leeza Constantoulakis, and Emily K Shaw, and Lisa C Letzkus
Department of Acute and Specialty Care, School of Nursing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

Many states cover mental health home and community-based services (HCBS) for youth through 1915(c) Medicaid HCBS waivers that allow states to waive certain Medicaid eligibility criteria and define high-risk populations based on age, medical condition(s), and disability status. We sought to evaluate how States are covering children and adolescents with mental health needs through 1915(c) waivers compared to other youth waiver populations. Data elements were extracted from Medicaid 1915(c) approved waivers applications for all included waivers targeting any pediatric age range through October 31, 2018. Normalization criteria were developed and an aggregate overall coverage score and level of funding per person per waiver were calculated for each waiver. One hundred and forty-two waivers across 45 states were included in this analysis. Even though there was uniformity in the Medicaid applications, there was great heterogeneity in how waiver eligibility, transition plans, services covered, and wait lists were defined across group classifications. Those with mental health needs (termed serious emotional disturbance) represented 5% of waivers with the least annual funding per person per waiver. We recommend greater links between public policy, infrastructure, health care providers, and a family-centered approach to extend coverage and scope of services for children and adolescents with mental health needs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008484 Medicaid Federal program, created by Public Law 89-97, Title XIX, a 1965 amendment to the Social Security Act, administered by the states, that provides health care benefits to indigent and medically indigent persons. Dental Medicaid Program,Medical Assistance, Title 19,Dental Medicaid Programs,Medicaid Program, Dental,Medicaid Programs, Dental,Program, Dental Medicaid,Programs, Dental Medicaid
D008605 Mental Health Services Organized services to provide mental health care. Mental Hygiene Services,Health Services, Mental,Services, Mental Health,Services, Mental Hygiene,Health Service, Mental,Hygiene Service, Mental,Hygiene Services, Mental,Mental Health Service,Mental Hygiene Service,Service, Mental Health,Service, Mental Hygiene
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D003153 Community Health Services Diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive health services provided for individuals in the community. Community Health Care,Community Healthcare,Health Services, Community,Services, Community Health,Community Health Service,Health Care, Community,Health Service, Community,Healthcare, Community,Service, Community Health
D003156 Community Mental Health Services Diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive mental health services provided for individuals in the community. Community Mental Health Service,Mental Health Services, Community,Assertive Community Treatment,Health Services, Community Mental,Services, Community Mental Health,Services, Mental Health Community,Community Treatment, Assertive,Treatment, Assertive Community
D006699 Home Care Services Community health and NURSING SERVICES providing coordinated multiple services to the patient at the patient's homes. These home-care services are provided by a visiting nurse, home health agencies, HOSPITALS, or organized community groups using professional staff for care delivery. It differs from HOME NURSING which is provided by non-professionals. Domiciliary Care,Home Health Care,Care Services, Home,Home Care,Services, Home Care,Care, Domiciliary,Care, Home,Home Care Service,Service, Home Care
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.

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