Expanded Monitoring of Atypical Antipsychotics

This policy brief explains current federal efforts to expand monitoring of atypical antipsychotics and discusses potential tracking and reporting practices state Medicaid agencies may consider.  In 2022, the Federal government announced several reforms aimed at improving the safety and quality of nursing home care. One particular focus has been to ensure appropriate mental health diagnoses and prescriptions for antipsychotics among older adults living in nursing homes. State Medicaid agencies are currently required to monitor and manage the appropriate use of antipsychotic medications by children under 18; if passed, the recently introduced federal legislation would require Medicaid programs to monitor antipsychotic medications given to all Medicaid beneficiaries, including people living in long-term care facilities (e.g., nursing homes) and people receiving home- and community-based services.