{"id":31760,"date":"2020-08-10T17:46:46","date_gmt":"2020-08-10T17:46:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/caseyfamilyv2.wpengine.com\/medicaid-funded-services-2\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T16:25:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:25:01","slug":"servicios-financiados-por-medicaid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casey.org\/es\/medicaid-funded-services\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00bfC\u00f3mo pueden los servicios financiados por Medicaid ayudar a los ni\u00f1os, los j\u00f3venes y las familias implicados en la protecci\u00f3n de la infancia?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Summary<\/h3>\n

This brief outlines the essentials of Medicaid financing and service coverage, specifically focusing on how the program supports evidence-based treatments for children and youth in the child welfare system.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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By the Center for Health Care Strategies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Nearly all children and youth involved with a child protection agency are eligible for Medicaid, which is their primary source of funding for physical, behavioral, and dental health care. The extent to which the Medicaid benefit structure and service delivery system are customized for children in child protection is critical to whether states can meet the federally mandated goals of safety, permanency, and social and emotional well-being. It is well documented that children involved with child protection have significant health care needs. Nationally, their expenditures in Medicaid are driven more by behavioral health care than physical health care, illustrating the critical importance of effective Medicaid delivery systems in all facets of care.<\/p>\n

Some states have undertaken collaborative efforts across child protection, Medicaid, and behavioral health systems to ensure that Medicaid financing can help meet the needs of children and their caregivers. These collaborations can inform other states about effective Medicaid financing strategies and how to approach necessary systemic changes. This brief describes the fundamentals of Medicaid financing, covered services, and coverage of evidence-based practices as they relate to services for children and youth involved with a child protection agency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Medicaid financing<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

Medicaid is jointly financed through a partnership between the federal government and states in which state funds are matched by federal funds to pay for services covered by Medicaid. State funds that are used for the match can come from various department budgets that consist of state general funds.<\/p>\n

Some states use child welfare general state revenues as the state or “non-federal” match to expand home- and community-based services. State dollars used for these Medicaid-covered services draw federal match dollars at a 50% or higher match rate, so use of child welfare general revenue for Medicaid-eligible services for children in foster care, most of whom are Medicaid-eligible, makes more sense than spending 100% state-only dollars. For example, in Milwaukee County, Wis., the child welfare system provided $450,000 in state match funding to expand mobile response and stabilization services for children involved with the child protection agency. Paired with the federal Medicaid match, this contribution supported a $650,000 program expansion without need of additional state dollars. If child welfare general revenue is redirected for use as a state Medicaid match, there must be assurances that children in child protection receive services in compliance with Medicaid regulations. Robust communication mechanisms between the state Medicaid and child protection systems are critical to resolve issues that may arise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Medicaid-covered services<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

Medicaid provides a benefit package that includes various services to address medical needs, including behavioral health needs. Within Medicaid there is a comprehensive set of key services that most children involved with child protection should have access to in order to address their needs.<\/p>\n

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Screening and assessment<\/b><\/h3>\n

State child protection agencies typically have timeframes for which children entering foster care must have physical and behavioral health screenings and assessments to address needs as soon as possible. State Medicaid agencies can require that Early Periodic Diagnosis and Treatment <\/a>screenings include a comprehensive physical, developmental, and behavioral health assessment; they can further require that screenings occur within the stipulated timeframes. For example, in New Jersey, children entering foster care are required to have a physical health examination within 30 days of placement, which is paid for by Medicaid. Through a partnership between Medicaid and child protection, enhanced rates were negotiated for this medical examination. Mental health screening is also required for children in out-of-home placements and must be completed within the first 30 days.<\/p>\n

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Home- and community-based services<\/b><\/h3>\n

A robust Medicaid benefit plan covering a broad range of home- and community-based behavioral health services and supports is essential to enable children to remain in home and community settings. In addition to traditional treatment services – such as individual, group, and family therapy; medication review and administration; and evaluation – children involved with child protection need access to a variety of additional services. States may provide these services through the Medicaid benefit plan, home- and community-based waivers, and\/or state general funds. Following are key services for children involved with child protection agencies:<\/p>\n