title: National estimates of behavioral health conditions and their treatment among adults newly insured under the ACA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Approximately 25 million individuals are projected to gain insurance as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This study estimated the prevalence of behavioral health conditions and their treatment among individuals likely to gain coverage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pooled 2008-2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data for adults (ages 18-64) were used. Estimates were created for all adults, current Medicaid beneficiaries, and uninsured adults with incomes that might make them eligible for the Medicaid expansion or tax credits for use in the health insurance marketplace.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals who may gain insurance under the ACA had lower rates of serious mental illnesses (5.4%, Medicaid expansion; 4.7%, marketplace) compared with current Medicaid beneficiaries (9.6%). They had higher rates of substance use disorders (13.6%, Medicaid expansion; 14.3%, marketplace) compared with Medicaid recipients (11.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is significant need for behavioral health treatment among individuals who may gain insurance under the ACA.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Mark and Ms. Wier are with Truven Health Analytics in Bethesda, Maryland, and Providence, Rhode Island, respectively. Mr. Malone is with the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Baltimore. At the time this work was done, he was with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, Maryland. Mr. Penne and Dr. Cowell are with Health, Social, and Economics Research, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Send correspondence to Ms. Wier (e-mail: lauren.wier@truvenhealth.com ).
authors.forename: Tami L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Mark
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Wier
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Penne
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cowell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult