Increased Service Use Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Associated With Mental Health Parity Law.

ABSTRACT: Health care services for children with autism spectrum disorder are often expensive and frequently not covered under private health insurance. The 2008 Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was viewed as a possible means of improving access by eliminating differences between behavioral health and medical/surgical benefits. We examined whether the legislation was associated with increased use of and spending on mental health care and functional services for children with autism spectrum disorder compared to the period prior to implementation of the law. We used nationwide health insurance commercial group claims data to examine trends in service use and spending among children with autism spectrum disorder before and after implementation of the law.

SUBMITTER: Stuart EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8320748 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature