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Published Online: 1 December 2015

Effects of Mental Health Parity on High Utilizers of Services: Pre-Post Evidence From a Large, Self-Insured Employer

Abstract

Objective:

This study evaluated utilization of mental health and substance use services among enrollees at a large employee health plan following changes to benefit limits after passage in 2008 of federal mental health parity legislation.

Methods:

This study used a pre-post design. Benefits and claims data for 43,855 enrollees in the health plan in 2009 and 2010 were analyzed for utilization and costs after removal of a 30-visit cap on the number of covered mental health visits.

Results:

There was a large increase in the proportion of health plan enrollees with more than 30 outpatient visits after the cap’s removal, an increase of 255% among subscribers and 176% among dependents (p<.001). The number of people near the 30-visit limit for substance use disorders was too few to observe an effect.

Conclusions:

Federal mental health parity legislation is likely to increase utilization of mental health services by individuals who had previously met their benefit limit.

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Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric Services
Go to Psychiatric Services

Cover: Fame Weathervane, by E.G. Washburne and Company, circa 1890. Copper and zinc with gold leaf. American Folk Art Museum, Long Island City, New York. Gift of Ralph Esmerian, accession number 2005.8.62. Photo credit: Gavin Ashworth.

Psychiatric Services
Pages: 448 - 451
PubMed: 26620288

History

Received: 23 December 2014
Revision received: 20 June 2015
Accepted: 1 July 2015
Published online: 1 December 2015
Published in print: April 01, 2016

Authors

Details

Kyle L. Grazier, M.S., Ph.D.
The authors are with the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where Dr. Grazier is also with the Department of Psychiatry (e-mail: [email protected]).
Daniel Eisenberg, Ph.D.
The authors are with the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where Dr. Grazier is also with the Department of Psychiatry (e-mail: [email protected]).
Jenefer M. Jedele, M.Sc.
The authors are with the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where Dr. Grazier is also with the Department of Psychiatry (e-mail: [email protected]).
Mary L. Smiley, M.S.
The authors are with the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where Dr. Grazier is also with the Department of Psychiatry (e-mail: [email protected]).

Funding Information

Foundation for the Society of Actuaries
Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation
This study was funded by the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation and the Society of Actuaries’ Committee on Knowledge Extension Research.The authors report no financial relationships with commercial interests.

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