Effects of Managed Care on Southern Youths' Behavioral Services Use

Children and adolescents' access to Medicaid-financed behavioral health services was examined over 8 years in Tennessee (managed care) and Mississippi (fee-for-service [FFS]) using logistic regression. Managed care reduced access to behavioral care overall, overnight services (e.g., inpatient), and specialty outpatient services. Managed care also restricted the relative use of overnight and specialty outpatient for children and adolescents. However, managed care had pronounced effects on use of case management services. We also document differences in access and mix of behavioral services used over time by race, sex, age, and Medicaid enrollment category.