The "Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act of 2025" streamlines Medicaid and CHIP enrollment for out-of-state providers, increasing healthcare access for children.
Lori Trahan
Representative
MA-3
The "Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act of 2025" streamlines the enrollment process for out-of-state healthcare providers in Medicaid and CHIP, ensuring children under 21 have access to care from eligible providers across state lines. By reducing administrative burdens and unnecessary screening requirements, the Act aims to improve healthcare access for children while maintaining necessary safeguards against fraud and abuse. Participating providers will be enrolled for a 5-year period, and the changes will take effect three years after the Act's enactment.
Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act Streamlines Medicaid Enrollment for Out-of-State Providers: Changes Effective in 3 Years
The "Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act of 2025" aims to cut through red tape, making it easier for doctors and other healthcare providers outside your state to treat kids and young adults (under 21) covered by Medicaid and CHIP. Instead of a mountain of paperwork, eligible out-of-state providers who have already been screened (and have a low risk of fraud) can get a fast-track enrollment that lasts for five years.
Making Healthcare Easier
This Act really focuses on streamlining. Think of a nurse practitioner in a neighboring state who specializes in a rare condition. Currently, getting approved to see a Medicaid patient across state lines can be a bureaucratic nightmare. This bill aims to change that. Providers will need to provide basic info like their name and National Provider Identifier, but beyond that, the process is designed to be straightforward. (Section 2).
Real-World Impact
Imagine a family in a rural area, where specialized pediatric care might be hours away. If a qualified specialist is closer, even if they're across state lines, this bill makes it easier for that child to get the care they need. Or consider a college student who needs ongoing treatment while away from home. This opens up options for them to continue their care with potentially fewer hurdles. The bill is directly targeting the process of enrolling these out-of-state providers, making it less of a headache for everyone involved.
The 3-Year Wait
While the goal is to speed things up, it's important to note that these changes won't kick in for three years. This gives states time to adjust their systems and put the new, streamlined enrollment process in place.