CMS: Beneficiaries forewent millions of mental health care visits due to COVID-19 pandemic

CMS today published data showing that beneficiaries forewent millions of primary, preventive and mental health care visits between March 2020 and October 2020 because of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Utilizations rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels for certain treatments; however, mental health services had the slowest rebound.

“This new data provides a window into the impacts of the pandemic for marginalized communities — particularly children and other vulnerable people — and is critical as we work towards meeting the needs of those that rely on Medicaid and [Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)],” CMS acting administrator Liz Richter said in a press release. “While we’re encouraged that people are accessing some health care services at pre pandemic levels, there is work to do to connect people to mental health care services and to ensure we fill the gap in other types of services that was caused by the pandemic.”

Analysis of submissions to CMS showed a 34% decline in mental health service utilization among individuals aged younger than 19 years compared with the same period in 2019, as well as a 22% decline among adults aged 19 to 64 years compared with the same period in 2019. Overall, children had approximately 14 million fewer interactions with mental health services and adults had approximately 12 million fewer. Moreover, substance use disorder service utilization declined by 3.6 million services vs. the same period in 2019.

According to the release, utilization rates for certain primary and preventive services among children aged younger than 19 years have returned to pre-pandemic levels or have showed signs of rebounding across many parts of the United States; however, to make up for missed services between March 2020 and October 2020, millions of services still need to be delivered.

CMS has emphasized mental health care in its Connecting Kids to Coverage Campaign, intended to help lessen service gaps via a national outreach and enrollment initiative that conducts outreach to families with children and teens eligible for Medicaid and CHIP.

“[CMS] is committed to connecting people and children to health care — including mental health care,” Richter said in the release.

Reference:

CMS. CMS data shows vulnerable Americans forgoing mental health care during COVID-19 pandemic. Accessed May 14, 2021. Available at: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-data-shows-vulnerable-americans-forgoing-mental-health-care-during-covid-19-pandemic.