CMS Releases Second Set of Health Equity Briefs

 

View in browser | Distributed by Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS)

Medicaid.gov

The Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) released a second set of health equity data briefs which help describe the composition of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  The release of these briefs reflect CMS’ commitment to evidence-based, data-driven health policy and investments, and increased transparency into and prioritization of data to identify disparities in access, quality of care, and health outcomes.  Highlights from the recently released briefs include: 

  • Nearly all states operate a 1915(c) waiver program that provides access to critical long-term services in home or community-based care settings; compared to non-participants, the population participating in these waiver programs tend to be older adults (ages 65+) and non-Hispanic White;
  • Children under age 3 receive well-child visits, which are essential preventive health care service for children covered by Medicaid under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit, at higher rates than adolescents;
  • 93 percent of children under age 1 received a well-child visit paid for by Medicaid or CHIP in 2020;  
  • Nearly a quarter of enrollees, ages 21 to 64, received a behavioral health service paid for by Medicaid or CHIP in 2020;
  • Asian/Pacific Islander (API) and Hispanic enrollees receive behavioral health services at lower rates than other racial and ethnic groups – in particular, the share of API enrollees that received services for a behavioral health condition is nearly one third the share of enrollees in other racial and ethnic groups; and
  • Over 40 percent of enrollees who were eligible for Medicaid based on disability received services for a behavioral health condition—nearly double the proportion for other adult eligibility categories.

You can view the briefs about Mental Health/SUD Services, the Section 1915(c) Waiver Program, and Well-Child Visits, as well as the previously released briefs on Medicaid.gov.