Relating to Medicaid and children’s health insurance program coverage for mental health services provided in school-based settings

This bill relates to Medicaid and children’s health insurance program (CHIP) coverage for mental health services provided in school-based settings. The federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, enacted in 2022, provided in part for more assistance to states in facilitating Medicaid and CHIP coverage for school-based Medicaid and CHIP services including preventive care, behavioral health, physical and occupational therapy, and disease management. The federal legislation also codified the policy requiring that the services be available to all children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, not only to children with an individualized education program or plan. The bill requires the department of health and human services (HHS) to request approval of any Medicaid state plan amendment, or other amendments necessary, from the centers for Medicare and Medicaid services of the United States department of health and human services (CMS) to provide covered Medicaid and CHIP mental health services in school-based settings regardless of formal mental health diagnosis as provided in the federal legislation and CMS guidance. The covered mental health services at a minimum must include family, group, and individual therapy; prevention and evaluation services; and case management. The bill requires HHS to utilize available federal technical assistance and to collaborate with local school districts in developing the state plan amendment and other amendments necessary, and in implementing the flexibilities and requirements for the school-based services to increase access to covered services while ensuring fiscal and programmatic integrity.