Behavioral Health

Behavioral health services–encompassing mental health and substance abuse services–are a critical need for many in the Medicaid population. NASHP studies state efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of Medicaid mental health and addiction services. We have worked with partners such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on subjects ranging from improving the delivery of behavioral health services available within the Medicaid benefit for children and adolescents to Medicaid financing of evidence-based practices in behavioral health.
The resources available in this section include a series of short vignettes highlighting delivery of Medicaid behavioral health services to children in select states. These are meant to provide states with resources on how their peers are using the Medicaid benefit to meet the behavioral health needs of children. The vignettes explore coordination and collaboration efforts in states; screening, assessment and referral approaches; and treatment strategies.
Individuals with behavioral health needs often also have physical co-morbidities that add to the complexity and cost of their conditions, underscoring the importance of including behavioral health in the service array available to beneficiaries. Through Medicaid, states account for a large portion of total spending on behavioral health services. As a major payer in this arena, Medicaid’s role in promoting behavioral health prevention and the effective delivery of treatment is crucial to cost-effective allocation of services dollars, and to the improvement of quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of Medicaid services.