TY - JOUR
T1 - The cost of Medicare-funded medical and pharmaceutical services for mental disorders in children and adolescents in Australia
AU - Le, Long Khanh Dao
AU - Shih, Sophy
AU - Richards-Jones, Scott
AU - Chatterton, Mary Lou
AU - Engel, Lidia
AU - Stevenson, Christopher
AU - Lawrence, David
AU - Pepin, Genevieve
AU - Mihalopoulos, Cathrine
PY - 2021/4
Y1 - 2021/4
N2 - Objective To examine the health care costs associated with mental disorders and subthreshold mental disorders within a nationally representative sample of children and adolescents in Australia. Method Data were derived from the Young Minds Matter Survey (N = 6,310). Mental disorders were classified using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV. Participant data were linked to administrative data on health care costs. Adjusted generalized linear regression models and two-part models were used to estimate mean differences in costs between those with a mental disorder or subthreshold disorder and those without. Results Costs associated with health care attendances and medications were higher for children and adolescents with mental disorders and subthreshold mental disorders compared to those without a mental disorder. The additional population health care costs due to mental disorders amounted to AUD$234 million annually in children and adolescents, of which approximately 16% was attributed to out-of-pocket costs. Findings showed that those with subthreshold mental disorders or comorbid mental disorders have substantial additional costs of Medicare-funded medical and pharmaceutical services. Conclusion and implication Mental disorders in children and adolescents are associated with significant health care costs. Further research is needed to ensure that this population is receiving effective and efficient care.
AB - Objective To examine the health care costs associated with mental disorders and subthreshold mental disorders within a nationally representative sample of children and adolescents in Australia. Method Data were derived from the Young Minds Matter Survey (N = 6,310). Mental disorders were classified using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV. Participant data were linked to administrative data on health care costs. Adjusted generalized linear regression models and two-part models were used to estimate mean differences in costs between those with a mental disorder or subthreshold disorder and those without. Results Costs associated with health care attendances and medications were higher for children and adolescents with mental disorders and subthreshold mental disorders compared to those without a mental disorder. The additional population health care costs due to mental disorders amounted to AUD$234 million annually in children and adolescents, of which approximately 16% was attributed to out-of-pocket costs. Findings showed that those with subthreshold mental disorders or comorbid mental disorders have substantial additional costs of Medicare-funded medical and pharmaceutical services. Conclusion and implication Mental disorders in children and adolescents are associated with significant health care costs. Further research is needed to ensure that this population is receiving effective and efficient care.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85104116487&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0249902
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0249902
M3 - Article
C2 - 33836033
AN - SCOPUS:85104116487
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 16
JO - PLoS One
JF - PLoS One
IS - 4 April
M1 - e0249902
ER -