Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act

The Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act would change how Medicaid covers services for people living in institutions for mental diseases (IMDs). Currently, Medicaid generally does not pay for most medical services for IMD residents under age 65. This bill would remove that exclusion, but only if a state submits and implements a plan to provide appropriate outpatient, community-based behavioral health care for those patients. The act also broadens eligibility provisions to remove age limits in certain parts of the law and adds requirements for states to demonstrate how they will expand crisis stabilization services, improve data sharing, and ensure care coordination. It would require annual reporting to the federal government on costs, utilization, stay lengths, and the types of outpatient care used after discharge from IMDs. The goal is to promote outpatient and crisis-focused care while improving integration with physical health and addiction treatment services.