title: The Effects of Medicaid Home and Community-based Services Waivers on Unmet Needs Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several states have passed Medicaid Home and Community-based Services (HCBS) waivers that expand eligibility criteria and available services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous research has shown considerable variation in these waivers, but little is known about the extent to which they address the health care needs of children with ASD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of Medicaid HCBS waivers, and their characteristics, on unmet health care needs among children with ASD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the 2003, 2007, and 2011 waves of the National Survey of Children's Health with detailed information on the Medicaid HCBS waiver programs of 35 states. Quasi-difference-in-difference-in-differences models were used to determine the effects of waivers and their characteristics on parent report of unmet health care needs of children with ASD compared with children without ASD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Greater waiver cost limits per child, estimated costs of services, and enrollment limits were associated with significant decreases in the adjusted rate of unmet health care needs, with considerable variation by household income level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that Medicaid HCBS waivers significantly decrease the unmet need for health care among children with ASD, most substantially among those who would not otherwise qualify for Medicaid. The findings regarding the effects of specific aspects of these waivers can inform the development of insurance policies in other states to address the needs of children with ASD.
authors.affiliation: *Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey †RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh ‡Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Douglas L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iskandarani
authors.forename: Andrew W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Dick
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mandell
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Velott
authors.forename: Edeanya
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agbese
authors.forename: Bradley D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000191:economics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States