UP-Medicaid Provider Telemental Health Services (C5539)

Abstract Background: Telemental health services enhances healthcare access for children and adults living with mental health challenges. Mental health programs increasingly offer telehealth services, but facilities accepting Medicaid are less likely to do so. Recent availability of telehealth modalities are important considering the prevailing behavioral healthcare workforce shortage, which is experienced at a higher rate in rural areas. However, telemental health delivery is more cost-effective than in person visits and results in similar mental health outcomes. Aims: To examine the effect of telemental health services expansion on the ability of children and adults Medicaid beneficiaries to access and have continuity of care, comparing rural and urban settings; and for a more diversified portfolio of Medicaid providers to provide behavioral healthcare to children and adult beneficiaries. Benefits: To advance translatable research in this area while providing important data to guide Kentucky State Medicaid regarding the impact of the telehealth expansion initiative on continuity of care for beneficiaries and the behavioral health workforce among Medicaid providers. Expected outcomes: The telehealth expansion has improved access to and continuity of mental healthcare for children and adult beneficiaries, while diversifying types of Medicaid providers. Preliminary studies: Pertinent to this application, from 2019 to present, our research team has partnered with the Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services (FY2020-2024) on several projects to guide tobacco policy and programing, Long-Acting Injectable use, and telemental health expansion among beneficiaries with behavioral health challenges.