Unfortunately, Colorado ranks only 42nd in the country for pediatric mental health. This indicates a lack of access to mental health care for children in Colorado and an unawareness of services available. If you have a child or teen with mental health needs, you know how important high-quality mental health treatment and care can be for your family. But if your income falls above a certain level, you may be worried that using Medicare or Medicaid to cover your child’s needs takes advantage of the system.
There are several benefits, however, to using these benefits that extend beyond employer-covered insurance. These programs are designed to improve access to care beyond what is generally accessible, and it is not taking advantage to make sure your children get the best care available.
Another common misconception is that Medicare and Medicaid are only for physical illnesses or conditions. But they both offer services to people in need of behavioral and psychiatric health care. Although there are limits, copays, and lifetime maximums, these resources can help bridge the gap between the care your child or teen needs and the care currently available without access to public benefits.