"Obamacare" Significantly Reduces Cost of Mental Health Care for Young Adults, Especially Minorities, Says University of Miami Study

CORAL GABLES, Fla., May 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has significantly reduced out-of-pocket costs for adults aged 19 to 25 seeking behavioral health care, most significantly among young adults from racial and ethnic minority groups. This according to a study published this month in the Psychiatric Services journal, the first to show the financial impact of "Obamacare" on young adults who access mental health and substance abuse treatment.

"Improved access to mental health care for people in this age group is critical given that they often have lower incomes, higher debt burden, and behavioral health issues often emerge at this age," said Karoline Mortensen, associate professor of health sector management and policy at the University of Miami School of Business Administration, who conducted the research with University of Maryland School of Public Health researchers. "We also found young Latinos, African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities saw the greatest reduction in out-of-pocket medical expenses related to behavioral health. Those in this group of Americans often experience higher unemployment rates and lower salaries and, therefore, are less likely to seek behavioral health services."

The ACA allows young adults to remain on their family's health plans until they turn 26.

The "dependent coverage provision" of the ACA has reduced the number of uninsured young adults by at least three million. Because of this, the expansion of health care access is also expected to increase the number of users of mental health and substance abuse treatment services. Because behavioral health conditions often emerge for the first time during the 19 to 25 year age range, and because this age group has a higher rate of serious mental illness than other adults, improving affordable access to care could make a significant contribution to improving the mental health of this group of Americans, including reducing their share of medical debt.

Methodology

The researchers analyzed nationally representative data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2008-2009 (before the ACA implementation) and 2011-2012 (after the ACA implementation) to estimate the impact of the dependent coverage expansion. Out-of-pocket spending was examined as a share of total health care spending among young adults with behavioral health needs. The young adults who benefited from dependent coverage on behavioral health were approximately 45 percent less likely to encounter catastrophic health expenses (i.e., 75 percent out-of-pocket share of health care costs) under the ACA's dependent coverage expansion.

To view the full paper, visit: http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.201500346

About the University of Miami School of Business Administration
The University of Miami School of Business is a leader in preparing individuals and organizations to excel in the complex, dynamic, and interconnected world of global business. One of 12 schools and colleges at the University of Miami, the School offers undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and executive education programs. With its location in a major center for international business, the School is acclaimed for its global perspective, student and faculty diversity, and engagement with the business community. More information about the University of Miami School of Business can be found at www.bus.miami.edu.

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SOURCE University of Miami School of Business Administration

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