Improving Access to Institutional Mental Health Care Act

This bill seeks to significantly alter Medicaid coverage for mental health services by proposing to remove the existing exclusion from medical assistance under the Medicaid program for items and services furnished to patients residing in an institution for mental diseases (IMD). This change directly addresses a long-standing limitation on federal Medicaid funding for such facilities. Furthermore, the legislation includes conforming amendments to ensure that medical assistance can be provided for IMD patients who are under 65 years of age, thereby expanding the eligible population for such care. These amendments involve striking specific age-related limitations within various sections of the Social Security Act. The changes made by this bill are slated to take effect and apply to services furnished on or after October 1, 2025 .