Access
One of the key tests of the effectiveness of a health care coverage program is whether it provides access to appropriate health care services in a timely manner and whether those services promote health improvements. Learn more about MACPAC’s work on access to care for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries.
Learn More about These Topics
- Monitoring managed care access
- Monitoring access under fee for service
- Key findings on access to care
- MACPAC’s access framework
- Availability of providers
Featured Publications
Access in Brief: Children’s Use of Behavioral Health Services
July 14, 2026
Children enrolled in Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are disproportionately affected by behavioral health conditions such as anxiety disorder, depression, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder compared to children who are privately insured. States are required to cover certain behavioral health benefits for children with Medicaid or CHIP […]
Access in Brief: Students with Individualized Education Plans in Medicaid
June 24, 2026
Medicaid plays a significant role in supporting students with disabilities by financing health and related services delivered in school settings that help children access and benefit from special education. Under federal law, state Medicaid programs may reimburse for covered services provided to Medicaid-enrolled children when those services are medically necessary and included in a child’s […]
Implementing Community Engagements Requirements in Medicaid
June 15, 2026
Chapter 1 contains a recommendation to create a transparent plan for monitoring and evaluating community engagement (CE) requirements in Medicaid. Under the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act (P.L. 119-21), states will be required to make Medicaid eligibility for certain applicants and existing beneficiaries contingent on their participation in qualifying CE activities. The chapter outlines the need […]