The prevalence of mental/behavioral health (BH) disorders has climbed steadily among children in the U.S. over the past decade, disproportionately affecting children from lower income households and those from minoritized racial and ethnic groups. Access to appropriate diagnostic and treatment services for BH for vulnerable populations is particularly challenging, but Medicaid accountable care organizations (ACOs) have the potential to address gaps in BH care for children in these populations.

This mixed-methods study seeks to address critical gaps in knowledge about the effect of ACOs on BH quality of care, utilization, outcomes, and disparities for Medicaid-insured children. The knowledge generated is expected to inform MassHealth, the Medicaid administrator in MA, health care providers, Medicaid programs in other states, policy makers, and parents/patients about the effects of this major policy change on quality of care, utilization, outcomes, and disparities for MassHealth-insured children who receive BH services.