Are kids with ADHD getting followup care in Medicaid? (VIDEO)

I’m Dr Bobby Lazzara and welcome to the Medical News Minute.

A study recently published by the Department of Health and Human Services revealed that many Medicaid and rural children who were treated for ADHD did not receive recommended follow-up care. As a matter of fact, in over half a million Medicaid-enrolled children, who were newly prescribed an ADHD medication and over 3500 children who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of ADHD did not receive follow-up care within the time frames outlined in the national quality measures. Over 54,000 children did not receive behavioral therapy as recommended by professional guidelines. The Office of Inspector General recommends that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) work toward improving health outcomes by developing strategies to increase the number of children who receive timely follow-up care for ADHD. How do we do that? Number 1, collaborate with partners to improve follow-up rates. Number 2, CMS should provide technical assistance to implement follow-up care. And number 3, analyze the effectiveness of all of these. So, we need to provide the best care possible to one of our most vulnerable groups: children.

I’m Dr Bobby Lazzara and this has been the Medical News Minute.