Massachusetts Health Reform Data Indicates Decreased Behavioral Health Utilization Among Newly Insured Young Adults

In Massachusetts, the young adult inpatient psychiatric admission rate declined slightly after the state adopted universal health insurance requirements in 2006. Between 2003 and 2006, about 26% of young adults ages 19 to 25 were uninsured; after 2006, only 10% were uninsured. The young adult inpatient admission rate in Massachusetts after 2006 was lower by 2.0 admissions per 1,000.

The findings were reported in “Use of Hospital-Based Services Among Young Adults With Behavioral Health Diagnoses Before and After Health Insurance Expansions” by Ellen Meara, Ph.D., of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, and . . .