title: Utilization of health and mental health services in a large insured population.
abstract: The authors analyzed 1975 data on the use of health and mental health services by the 2.3 million people covered by Michigan Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Only 4.6% of the covered population submitted hospital or physician claims for mental disorder; these people accounted for 7.3% of total hospital and physician charges for all health services in the covered population. According to the claims submitted, nonpsychiatric physicians saw almost half of all patients who were given a diagnosis of mental disorder, but psychiatrists accounted for the great bulk of mental health services and charges to these patients. High utilizers comprise a small proportion of all patients but account for a high proportion of charges for mental disorders and for all diagnoses.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054598:Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007358:Insurance, Psychiatric / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000191:economics