GeorgiaGeorgia may seek Medicaid coverage for adults' community mental health care
Georgia law allows the health department to seek federal approval for Medicaid payment for community mental health care for eligible adults, with payment steps required only after approval.
What it does
The department may seek federal approval for Medicaid to pay for community mental health services for adults over 21 who need care but not an institution. Payment steps depend on federal approval.
Argument forIf federal officials approve the waiver, eligible adults could get Medicaid-paid mental health care while living in their communities.
Argument againstEligible adults could wait for community care if federal officials do not approve the waiver needed for Medicaid payment.
More detail
The Department of Community Health may ask federal officials to approve Medicaid payment for certain home and community mental health services. The services are for medical assistance recipients over age 21 who need mental health services but do not need an institutional level of care. Recipients must need mental health services but not institutional care; that need is determined by considering risk factors such as past hospital stays, psychiatric crises, emergency visits, incarceration, or homelessness. The department must take steps to provide Medicaid payment only if federal officials approve the waiver. The department may submit the waiver request by December 31, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Effective DateLatest
- May 11Act 492Major
- May 11Senate Date Signed by Governor Brian KempBecame Law
- Apr 10Senate Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 23House Passed/AdoptedPassed House
- Vote recorded House Vote #745 - 2025-2026 Regular Session. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded House Vote #745 - 2025-2026 Regular Session. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23House Third ReadersMinor
- Mar 10House Committee Favorably ReportedMinor
- Feb 26House Second ReadersMinor
- Feb 25House First ReadersMinor
- Feb 24Senate Passed/Adopted By SubstitutePassed Senate
- Vote recorded Senate Vote #577 - 2025-2026 Regular Session. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Vote #577 - 2025-2026 Regular Session. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Senate Third ReadMinor
- Feb 20Senate Read Second TimeMinor
- Feb 19Senate Committee Favorably Reported By SubstituteMinor
- Jan 28Senate Read and ReferredMinor
- Jan 27Senate HopperIntroduced
HealthcareMental Health