How Medicaid mental health payment increases affect providers and patients
Effects of mental health reimbursement increases in Medicaid on providers and patients
This project looks at whether raising Medicaid payments for mental health services leads more clinicians to accept Medicaid and improves care for enrollees.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248791 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have Medicaid and a mental health condition, this research follows real-world changes after some states raised payments to mental health providers starting in 2022. Researchers will analyze national Medicaid claims to see whether provider participation, appointment use, and patient outcomes change after the payment increases. They will also conduct in-depth interviews with providers and stakeholders to learn why changes did or did not happen. The combined findings aim to show whether higher payments actually improve access and care for people on Medicaid.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants include Medicaid enrollees with diagnosed mental health conditions — or mental health providers — living in states that increased Medicaid mental health reimbursement since 2022.
Not a fit: People without Medicaid, those without mental health conditions, or patients in states that did not change reimbursement are unlikely to be included or directly affected by this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide state policies that make it easier for Medicaid enrollees to find mental health providers and get timely care.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies in primary care showed mixed results and mental health-specific evidence is limited, so this approach is relatively new for mental health policy questions.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Jane Mingjia — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Jane Mingjia
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.