title: Relationship Between the Types of Insurance Coverage and Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Use Among Older Adults.
abstract: Using the public use data files of the 2008 to 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, this study examined (a) the payment sources for mental health treatment among those aged 50 to 64 years and those aged 65+ years and (b) the relationship between outpatient mental health treatment use and different types of insurance coverage among members of these two age groups. The results show that 16% of the 50 to 64 age group and 10% of the 65+ age group used inpatient or outpatient mental health treatment in the preceding year. Logistic regression analyses showed that mental health problem severity and public insurance programs (Medicare, Medicaid, and Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]/military insurance) significantly increased the odds of receiving outpatient treatment. Private insurance was not a significant factor for either age group. Older adults with mental health problems must be encouraged to seek treatment and need to be informed about mental health coverage included in their insurance(s).
authors: University of Texas at Austin, USA nchoi@austin.utexas.edu.
authors: Namkee G
authors: NG
authors: Choi
authors: University of Texas at Austin, USA.
authors: Diana M
authors: DM
authors: DiNitto
authors: University of Texas at Austin, USA.
authors: C Nathan
authors: CN
authors: Marti
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: insurance coverage; mental health treatment; public mental health programs; symptom severity