This bill changes the Medicaid definition of an "institution for mental diseases" (IMD) so that certain community crisis and urgent care facilities are not counted as IMDs. It adds four categories to the exclusion: certified community behavioral health clinics, community mental health centers that meet federal criteria, crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, and mental health and substance use urgent care facilities. The bill defines those new facility types and lists minimum features, such as 24/7 availability, short-term observation and stabilization, nondiscrimination, sliding-fee discounts, and accepting referrals from law enforcement and others. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidance within 180 days and to submit a report to Congress within 1 year with data on use of crisis receiving and stabilization facilities and analysis of effects on emergency room admissions, psychiatric hospital admissions, and incarceration rates.
If you are served by Medicaid or live in a State that uses these facilities, the change would mean these named crisis and urgent care sites would not be treated as IMDs under Medicaid. The bill sets rules for those facilities (for example, hours of service, no-denial conditions, and average length of stay limits) and requires HHS guidance to States. HHS must also report to Congress about how these facilities are used and whether their use is linked to changes in hospital, emergency room, or incarceration outcomes.
No publicly available information.
The bill's sponsors and supporters say the change will allow community crisis and urgent care facilities to be treated differently under Medicaid and will support 24/7 crisis services, short-term stabilization, and connections to outpatient care. The required HHS report is intended to show how these facilities are used and whether they help reduce emergency room visits, psychiatric hospital stays, and incarceration.
No publicly available information.