ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Use of Inpatient Services by a National Population: Do Benefits Make a Difference?

https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199301000-00021Get rights and content
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Abstract

This study describes changes in the use of inpatient mental health services by children and adolescents under age 18. The data were insurance claims from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employees Program. The study focused on a cut in inpatient benefits that occurred between 1978 and 1983. The rate of inpatient hospitalization dropped significantly, and the average number of days also decreased significantly from 45.8 to 27.0 days. This study is among the first to demonstrate that the rate and amount of inpatient care provided for children and adolescents is responsive to variations in benefit coverage.

Key Words

child
adolescent, mental hospitalization
insurance
mental health

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This study was supported by NIMH grant number MH45509. The authors gratefully acknowledge the suggestions of three anonymous reviewers.