Streamline enrollment of out-of-state providers in Medicaid

Ongoing provider shortages affect youth access to mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) services disproportionately. An estimated 10.8 million children and adolescents report experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder (MH/SUD). However, there are not enough providers who are trained to address the unique needs of younger patients, especially in rural areas.[2][3] State Medicaid programs experiencing provider shortages can opt to allow out-of-state providers to enroll as licensed telehealth providers, but since the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, states have adopted a patchwork of out-of-state licensing policies creating confusing conditions for patients and providers.[4] The process to become an out-of-state provider is highly variable by state, which de-incentivizes providers from expanding their coverage area.[5] Providers wishing to support young patients in nearby states should not have to overcome administrative hurdles to provide care, and patients should have timely access to MH/SUD treatment. Congress should require all states to adopt a uniform and streamlined process for enrolling out-of-state providers in their Medicaid programs in order to adequately meet the MH/SUD needs of their under-21 population.[1]