Right now, Medicaid sometimes won't pay for mental health services and primary care services if a patient receives both on the same day. This bill fixes that problem by requiring Medicaid to cover both types of care when they happen at the same visit.

Here's why this matters: Imagine you go to a clinic for a regular checkup and also talk to a counselor about depression or anxiety on the same day. Currently, Medicaid might refuse to pay for one of these services just because they happened together. This creates a barrier for people who need both physical and mental health care—they either have to make two separate trips or go without one type of care.

The bill removes this barrier by clarifying that Medicaid must pay for both services when they're provided on the same day at the same location, whether by the same provider or different providers at that facility. This makes it easier and more practical for people to get the complete care they need, especially young people who might benefit from having mental and physical health support coordinated in one visit.

Improving CARE for Youth Act

Carper, Thomas R.

Improving Coordination and Access to Resources Equitably for Youth Act or the Improving CARE for Youth ActThis bill prohibits state Medicaid programs from denying coverage for primary care and mental health services that are furnished on the same day at the same office, clinic, or other outpatient facility.&nbsp;