title: Predictors of behavioural health service use and associated expenditures: Individuals with TBI in Pinellas County.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern. Such injuries often result in dramatic changes in the individual's life-course due to the associated complex co-morbidities. Limited research exists on the use and expenditures incurred for behavioural healthcare services post-TBI. This study examined predictors of behavioural service use, incarceration and associated expenditures for individuals with TBI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Emergency Medical Services and Medicaid Claims data were used to identify individuals diagnosed with a TBI in Pinellas County, Florida, in FY 2005. Ten statewide and local administrative data sets from 2005-2008 were employed to determine subject's demographic characteristics, criminal justice encounters, behavioural health services use and associated expenditures. Average annual expenditures and use of mental health, substance abuse and criminal justice services over a 3-year period were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1005 individuals diagnosed with TBI were identified and, of these, 910 survived the 3-year period. Study participants were grouped into high and low behavioural health expenditure groups. Those in the high expenditure group were more likely to be male, white and to have received behavioural health services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides new information about predictors of behavioural health service use and Medicaid expenditures for Floridians with TBI.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling .
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Dillahunt-Aspillaga
authors: Marion
authors: M
authors: Becker
authors: Diane
authors: D
authors: Haynes
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Ehlke
authors: Tammy
authors: T
authors: Jorgensen-Smith
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Sosinski
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Austin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Cost; incarceration; mental health; service access; traumatic brain injury