Medicaid behavioral health care plan satisfaction and children's service utilization

Health Care Financ Rev. 2004 Fall;26(1):43-55.

Abstract

This study examines associations between caregivers' satisfaction with children's Medicaid-funded behavioral health care plans and the likelihood that children with severe emotional disturbance receive mental health services. Data are from a multisite study of managed care versus fee-for-service (FFS) settings. In multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for demographic, environmental, site, and clinical characteristics, plan satisfaction was associated with greater likelihood of subsequent service use regardless of managed care versus FFS setting. Children in managed care plans were less likely to use intensive residential and non-traditional outpatient services. Efforts to increase plan satisfaction may encourage service use, consequently, improving children's behavioral health outcomes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Caregivers / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Health Services / economics
  • Child Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Consumer Behavior*
  • Fee-for-Service Plans / standards*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Managed Care Programs / standards*
  • Medicaid / organization & administration*
  • Mental Health Services / economics
  • Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States