Spending on Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Employer-Sponsored Plans, 2011-2017.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Rapid increases in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and increased access to intensive behavioral interventions have likely increased health care spending. This study estimated recent changes in spending among privately insured children with and without current ASD.

Methods

A repeated cross-sections analysis of 2011-2017 claims data from large-employer-sponsored health plans assessed changes in annual expenditures by service type for children ages 3-7 enrolled for ≥1 year and with two or more claims with ASD billing codes within a calendar year and for all other children.

Results

Mean spending per child with a current-year ASD diagnosis increased by 51% in 2017 U.S. dollars, from roughly $13,000 in 2011 to $20,000 in 2017. Among children who d

SUBMITTER: Grosse SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7879423 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature