Improving CARE for Youth Act

This bill, known as the "Improving CARE for Youth Act," amends title XIX of the Social Security Act to address Medicaid coverage for integrated healthcare services. Its primary purpose is to ensure that state Medicaid plans do not prohibit payment for mental health services or substance use disorder services when they are furnished on the same day as primary care services.

The legislation defines these as "same-day qualifying services," which include both types of care provided to an individual on the same day by practitioners within the same physician's office, Federally qualified health center, rural health clinic, or other outpatient facility. This coverage mandate also explicitly extends to services delivered via telehealth. By preventing payment barriers for concurrent services, the bill seeks to enhance access to comprehensive and coordinated care for Medicaid beneficiaries.