Improving Access to Care through Medicaid 1115 Waivers

Millions of people in the U.S. each year are affected by mental illness, substance use disorders, and other chronic conditions, yet too many are unable to get both their mental and physical health needs met, leading to higher costs and worse outcomes.

The rate of co-occurring illness is high. People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population. People with serious mental illness are nearly twice as likely to develop these conditions. With the demand for mental health and addiction services higher than ever before, coordinating care is important as we face a new health care landscape.

As the nation’s largest payer of mental health and substance use disorder services, Medicaid is uniquely situated to help states support the health of their communities. Through the use of federal waivers – called section 1115 waivers – states can improve access to care by testing new ideas like integrating mental health and substance use disorder services in primary care settings that help people receive the right care at the right time.

Join speakers from NAMI and CNS Healthcare on this webinar as they talk about the case for using Medicaid 1115 waivers to support integrated care, reduce costs, and improve outcomes from both the individual and provider perspective.

Presenters

• Jodi Kwarciany – Manager of Mental Health Policy at NAMI
• Amy Stern, LMSW – Program Manager, CNS Healthcare
• Michele Reid, MD – Chief Medical Officer, CNS Healthcare
• Jenny Shumaker, LMSW – Clinical Program Director, CNS Healthcare