Telehealth Continues to Account for More Than a Third of Outpatient Visits for Mental Health and Substance Use Services Well into the COVID-19 Pandemic March 15, 2022 News Release A new analysis from KFF and Epic Research finds that telehealth visits for outpatient mental health and substance use services went from virtually zero percent in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to a peak of 40% in mid-2020 – and continued to account for more than a third (36%)…
Telehealth Has Played an Outsized Role Meeting Mental Health Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic March 15, 2022 Issue Brief This analysis from KFF and Epic Research finds that telehealth visits for outpatient mental health and substance use services went from virtually zero percent in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to a peak of 40% in mid-2020 – and continued to account for more than a third of such visits in the six months ending in August 2021.
People With HIV in Non-Medicaid Expansion States: Who Could Gain Coverage Eligibility Through Build Back Better or Future Expansion? February 15, 2022 Issue Brief In this analysis, we explore the implications of the Build Back Better Act’s current coverage provisions for people with HIV in select non-expansion states. We estimate the size of the population that could gain eligibility as well as their socio-demographic characteristics, examine their affordability barriers and assess the potential impact on the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. We also explore what Medicaid expansion could mean in these non-expansion states for people with HIV.
Despite Improvements, Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Mortality Rates Persist February 3, 2022 Slide Overall cancer mortality rates have decreased for all racial and ethnic groups, with the largest decrease among Black people. However, Black people continued to have the highest risk of cancer death.
Feb. 3 Web Event: Understanding and Addressing Racial Disparities in Cancer Outcomes, Care, and Treatment February 3, 2022 Event The COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness and sharpened the discussion of systemic racial disparities in the U.S. health care system. These inequities existed long before the pandemic and have been recognized for decades, yet they continue and, in some cases, have worsened. Cancer consistently ranks as one of the leading…
What to Watch in Medicaid Section 1115 Waivers One Year into the Biden Administration January 27, 2022 Issue Brief Section 1115 demonstration waivers provide states an avenue to test new approaches in Medicaid and generally reflect changing priorities from one presidential administration to another. This issue brief summarizes waiver priorities and actions under the Biden Administration as well as pending waiver themes and other issues to watch. If the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) fails to pass or is narrowed significantly, Medicaid waivers and other administrative actions may be a key tool for the Biden Administration to advance policy priorities absent legislation.
Key Facts on Health and Health Care by Race and Ethnicity January 26, 2022 News Release With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting communities of color disproportionately in their health and economic well-being, long-term racial and ethnic disparities have received growing attention. But these inequities in our health system are not new and are a part of larger issues of systemic racism. An updated KFF chart pack analyzes…
Medicaid: What to Watch in 2022 January 18, 2022 Issue Brief As 2022 kicks off, a number of issues are at play that could affect coverage and financing under Medicaid. This issue brief examines key issues to watch in Medicaid in the year ahead.
State Policies Connecting Justice-Involved Populations to Medicaid Coverage and Care December 17, 2021 Issue Brief The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified pre-existing health disparities for justice-involved populations, with coronavirus infection rates among incarcerated populations higher than overall infection rates in nearly all states. Justice-involved individuals are disproportionately low-income and often have complex and/or chronic conditions, including behavioral health needs. Although the statutory inmate exclusion policy prohibits Medicaid from covering services provided during incarceration (except for inpatient services), states may take other steps to leverage Medicaid to improve continuity of care for justice-involved individuals.
State Policies Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Care in Medicaid December 9, 2021 Issue Brief On KFF’s 21st annual Medicaid budget survey, all responding states reported at least one initiative to expand behavioral health care in Medicaid, including crisis service and other benefit expansions, initiatives to expand telehealth and address equity, and managed care changes.