title: A Comparison of Benefit Limits in Mental Health.
abstract: This study provides insight to policy makers and stakeholders on how three types of benefits limits on Medicaid-covered mental health services might affect access for consumers diagnosed with severe mental illness. The study used a retrospective cohort design with data for Medicaid-covered, community-based mental health services provided in Ohio during fiscal year 2010. Log-binomial regression was used for the analysis. Results indicate that limits compared have significant, varying consequences based on Medicaid coverage and diagnoses. When constraining Medicaid costs, policy makers should consider how limits will disrupt care and include clinicians in discussions prior to implementation.
authors.affiliation: Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. wolesiuk@email.unc.edu.
authors.forename: William Joseph
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Olesiuk
authors.affiliation: The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Helen Anne
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Eric E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Seiber
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Schweikhart
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Abigail B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Shoben
authors.affiliation: The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Kwok Kwan
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Tam
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D007342:Insurance Benefits; D008484:Medicaid; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D009820:Ohio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States
keywords: Benefit; Community based mental health; Cost containment; Disparities; Limits; Medicaid; Policy