The ANCHOR Act allows states to voluntarily expand Medicaid coverage to uninsured individuals earning up to the federal poverty line who have been diagnosed with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, opioid use disorder, or stimulant use disorders like methamphetamine or cocaine addiction. Individuals can be identified for this coverage through health care providers, emergency departments, behavioral health clinics, or even law enforcement and child welfare agencies. Once enrolled, eligible individuals receive the same medical benefits as other Medicaid recipients for an initial one-year period, with the option for states to renew coverage annually if the individual still qualifies. States participating in this program must ensure each enrollee has a personalized care plan developed within 60 days and must track and report on mental health care quality measures. This legislation gives states flexibility to address gaps in health coverage for some of the most vulnerable populations struggling with serious mental health and substance use conditions.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.