Virginia Medicaid To Add Coverage For Institution For Mental Disease Services For SMI

The Virginia Medicaid program, Cardinal Care, is preparing a waiver amendment to seek federal approval to cover short-term treatment by psychiatric hospitals or residential treatment facilities that qualify as institutions for mental disease (IMDs) for beneficiaries with serious mental illness (SMI). The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) currently has federal approval to cover short-term IMD treatment for beneficiaries with addiction disorder. DMAS said the waiver is needed to address system fragmentation and gaps in care coordination across included and excluded settings. Normally, Medicaid does not cover treatment provided by IMDs.

By improving access to community-based . . .