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The Implications of the Affordable Care Act for Behavioral Health Services Utilization

Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research volume 43, pages 11–22 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

This analysis estimates the number of currently uninsured adults who may gain coverage and access behavioral health (BH) services under the ACA. Data on BH status, socio-demographic characteristics, insurance coverage, and services utilization were drawn from the 2008–2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to estimate changes in services utilization under the ACA. Estimates indicate that 2.8 million adults may receive BH treatment through Medicaid expansions, and 3.1 million through participation in health insurance exchanges. This represents a 40 % increase in BH services utilization, primarily for mental health services.

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Notes

  1. Estimates of the logistic regression models are provided in Appendix Table 5.

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Acknowledgments

The views expressed here are those of the authors and do no necessarily represent the view of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Analysis & Services Research Branch, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD, 20857, USA

    Mir M. Ali, Judith Teich & Albert Woodward

  2. Population Surveys Branch, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, USA

    Beth Han

Authors
  1. Mir M. Ali
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  2. Judith Teich
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  3. Albert Woodward
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  4. Beth Han
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mir M. Ali.

Appendix

Appendix

See Tables 4 and 5.

Table 4 Estimated change in behavioral health services utilization under ACA with 57 % take-up rate, based on data for adults age 18–64 years in the 2008–2012 National Survey on Drug Use & Health, by Federal Poverty Level (numbers in thousands)
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Table 5 Logistic regression result for behavioral health services utilization, based on data for adults age 18–64 years in the 2008–2012 National Survey on Drug Use & Health
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Ali, M.M., Teich, J., Woodward, A. et al. The Implications of the Affordable Care Act for Behavioral Health Services Utilization. Adm Policy Ment Health 43, 11–22 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-014-0615-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-014-0615-8

Keywords

  • Affordable Care Act
  • Behavioral health
  • Mental health
  • Substance abuse