title: Partially capitated managed care versus FFS for special needs children.
abstract: Little research has examined whether Medicaid managed care plans (MCPs) that incorporate case management are effective in coordinating services for children with special health care needs (CSHCN). This study evaluates the effects of enrollment of special needs children into a partially capitated MCP (with ongoing case management) versus the fee-for-service (FFS) option on use of therapeutic services, specifically speech, occupational, and physical therapy by site of service (school versus health care sector). Results show that special needs children enrolled in the partially capitated MCP are significantly more likely to obtain occupational and physical therapy at school relative to their FFS counterparts. Moreover, children enrolled in FFS are significantly less likely to be either regular or frequent users of each type of therapy relative to children enrolled in managed care. We attribute much of these disparities in use of therapeutic services at school to the availability of case management and coordination that is an integral component of the partially capitated MCP.
authors.affiliation: The RAND Corporation, USA.
authors.forename: Cynthia R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.forename: Jean M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Darrell J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gaskin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002204:Capitation Fee; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002755:Choice Behavior; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D018588:Fee-for-Service Plans; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D014481:United States