National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 4 of 4 Research Studies DisplayedAli MM, Chen J, Mutter R
AHRQ Author: Novak P
The ACA's dependent coverage expansion and out-of-pocket spending by young adults with behavioral health conditions.
The authors analyzed out-of-pocket spending as a share of total health care expenditures for young adults with behavioral health conditions before and after the implementation of the ACA dependent care provision. They found that the extension of health insurance coverage to young adults with behavioral health disorders has provided them with additional financial protection, which can be important given the low incomes and high debt burden that characterize the age group.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Ali MM, Chen J, Mutter R .
The ACA's dependent coverage expansion and out-of-pocket spending by young adults with behavioral health conditions.
Psychiatr Serv 2016 Sep;67(9):977-82. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201500346.
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Keywords: Behavioral Health, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Young Adults
Creedon TB, Cook BL
Access to mental health care increased but not for substance use, while disparities remain.
The researchers assessed whether early implementation of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion and state health insurance exchanges increased access to mental health and substance use treatment among those in need and whether these changes differed by racial/ethnic group. They found that mental health treatment rates increased significantly but found no evidence of a reduction in the wide racial/ethnic disparities in mental health treatment that preceded ACA expansion from 2005 to 2013.
AHRQ-funded; HS021486.
Citation: Creedon TB, Cook BL .
Access to mental health care increased but not for substance use, while disparities remain.
Health Aff 2016 Jun;35(6):1017-21. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0098.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Health Insurance, Policy, Medicaid, Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse
Montz E, Layton T, Busch AB
Risk-adjustment simulation: plans may have incentives to distort mental health and substance use coverage.
The authors examined health plan incentives to limit covered services for mental health and substance use disorders under the risk-adjustment system used in the health insurance Marketplaces. They documented how Marketplace risk adjustment does not remove incentives for plans to limit coverage for services associated with mental health and substance use disorders.
AHRQ-funded; HS000055.
Citation: Montz E, Layton T, Busch AB .
Risk-adjustment simulation: plans may have incentives to distort mental health and substance use coverage.
Health Aff 2016 Jun;35(6):1022-8. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1668.
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Keywords: Health Insurance, Policy, Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse
Watkins KE, Smith B, Akincigil A
The quality of medication treatment for mental disorders in the department of Veterans Affairs and in private-sector plans.
The objective of this paper was to compare the quality of mental health care provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with care provided to a comparable population treated in the private sector. The researchers found that VA performance was superior to that of the private sector by more than 30%. They concluded that their findings demonstrate the significant advantages that accrue from an organized, nationwide system of care and suggested that the much higher performance of the VA has important clinical and policy implications.
AHRQ-funded; HS003258; HS021112.
Citation: Watkins KE, Smith B, Akincigil A .
The quality of medication treatment for mental disorders in the department of Veterans Affairs and in private-sector plans.
Psychiatr Serv 2016 Apr;67(4):391-6. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201400537.
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Keywords: Quality of Care, Health Insurance, Medication, Behavioral Health