Improving Access to Institutional Mental Health Care Act

This bill removes a longstanding Medicaid coverage barrier for mental health care in institutional settings. It amends the Social Security Act to eliminate the exclusion preventing Medicaid from covering services for individuals under 65 years old in facilities for mental diseases (IMDs). Previously, Medicaid would not pay for these services for people under 65, but the bill changes this rule to allow coverage for all age groups starting October 1, 2024. The change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries under 65 who receive care in psychiatric hospitals or similar residential mental health facilities.