Nearly Two-Thirds Of All States Cover Behavioral Health Therapy For Children & Youth Without A Diagnosis

Nearly two-thirds (31) of state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) plans cover behavioral health therapy for children and youth whether or not the children/youth have a diagnosed behavioral health disorder. Nearly one-third of children ages 3-17 enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP plans as of 2021 reported having mental, emotional, developmental, and/or behavioral needs, and about half of all children with a behavioral health diagnosis are not receiving necessary treatment or services. In response, states are prioritizing children’s behavioral health and increasingly implementing policies to strengthen access to behavioral health services, according . . .