Kansas Register notice says Medicaid will cover Collaborative Care Model services for members of all ages from January 1, 2025, through primary care teams.
Medicaid coverage change
The Kansas Register notice states that the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment amended the Kansas Medicaid State Plan to add the Collaborative Care Model, or CoCM, as a covered benefit. According to the notice, the change is set to take effect January 1, 2025, for Kansas Medicaid members of all ages.
The Kansas Register describes CoCM as an evidence-based approach that integrates behavioral health care into primary care settings. The notice says the model is intended for people with mental health conditions, behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders, other psychiatric conditions, and suspected or pre-existing conditions.
How the model works
According to the Kansas Register, CoCM brings together a primary care provider, a behavioral health care manager, and a psychiatric consultant. The notice identifies physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants as examples of primary care providers who may participate in the model.
The Kansas Register says the approach includes proactive screening, systematic tracking of patient progress with validated tools, and regular psychiatric consultation. Under the model described in the notice, psychiatric consultants can help adjust treatment when a patient is not improving.
State goals and funding details
The notice says the amendment is intended to improve access to psychiatric expertise, which it describes as difficult to obtain in Kansas because of a shortage of specialists. By allowing primary care providers to bill for integrated services, the state aims to encourage adoption of the model in more primary care settings.
According to the Kansas Register, the amendment is part of a broader state strategy to modernize behavioral health infrastructure. The notice also states that the estimated federal financial participation impact for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 is zero in additional net federal cost, based on expected long-term savings from improved health outcomes and fewer emergency room visits.
The Kansas Register further says the model reflects a whole-person care approach, recognizing mental health as part of overall physical well-being and primary care as a common first contact point for people experiencing psychological distress.
What this means for Kansas patients
For Kansas Medicaid members seeking treatment locally, the change may make coordinated behavioral health support available through participating primary care teams. The directory lists 36 published clinics in Kansas, which may help patients identify local treatment options.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Kansas reporting on access & coverage.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.