Impact of managed care on publicly insured children with special health care needs.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review was to evaluate the impact of managed care on publicly insured children with special health care needs (CSHCN).


METHODS
We conducted a review of the extant literature. Using a formal computerized search, with search terms reflecting 7 specific outcome categories, we summarized study findings and study quality.


RESULTS
We identified 13 peer-reviewed articles that evaluated the impact of Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance program (SCHIP) Managed Care (MSMC) on health services delivery to populations of CSHCN, with all studies observational in design. Considered in total, the available scientific evidence is varied. Findings concerning care access demonstrate a positive effect of MSMC; findings concerning care utilization were mixed. Little information was identified concerning health care quality, satisfaction, costs, or health status, whereas no study yielded evidence on family impact.


CONCLUSIONS
The available studies suggest that the evaluated record of MSMC for CSHCN has been mixed, with considerable heterogeneity in the definition of CSHCN, program design, and measured outcomes. These findings suggest caution should be exercised in implementing MSMC for CSHCN and that greater emphasis on health outcomes and cost evaluations is warranted.
Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. lynne.huffman@stanford.edu
Lynne C
LC
Huffman
Gabriel A
GA
Brat
Lisa J
LJ
Chamberlain
Paul H
PH
Wise
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D035082:Federal Government; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017150:Public Sector; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States