Medicaid behavioral health care plan satisfaction and children's service utilization
Cook, J.A.; Fitzgibbon, G.; Burke-Miller, J.; Mulkern, V.; Grey, D.D.; Heflinger, C.A.; Paulson, R.; Hoven, C.W.; Stein-Seroussi, A.; Kelleher, K.
Health Care Financing Review 26(1): 43-55
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0195-8631 PMID: 15776699 Document Number: 575955
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.