Health Topics

• Data Development
• Health Care Reform
• Health Information Technology
• Medicaid and CHIP
• Medicare
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse
• Payment Policies and Costs
• Public and Population Health
• Quality and Health System Functioning
• State Health Policy

Children with Special Health Care Needs in Commercial Managed Care Plans

Children with special health care needs who are enrolled in commercial, employer-based health insurance plans may be at high risk for inadequate access to needed health services. Although several studies have examined health services for publicly insured children with special health care needs, information on similar children in private plans is generally unavailable. With support from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, we examined service use and costs of care for approximately 30,000 children with special health care needs who were enrolled in private managed care plans in 1999-2001.

We built on this research and developed a series of data updates for commercial managed care plans to keep them abreast of critical issues in caring for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities. These updates covered a range of issues, including identification of children with special health care needs, costs of prescription drugs, and mental health.

Publications

"Quality Care for Special Kids: Profiles of Children with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities" (May 2007)
"Quality Care for Children with ADHD: The Role of Primary Care Physicians" Quality Care for Special Kids: Profiles of Children with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities, Update #6 (April 2007)
"Impact on Family and Work" Quality Care for Special Kids: Profiles of Children with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities, Update #5 (February 2007)
"Coordinating Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs" Quality Care for Special Kids: Profiles of Children with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities, Update #4 (January 2007)
"Treating Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Children and Adolescents" Quality Care for Special Kids: Profiles of Children with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities, Update #3 (December 2006)
"Prescription Drug Costs for Children with Special Health Care Needs" Quality Care for Special Kids: Profiles of Children with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities, Update #2 (October 2006)
"Children with Special Health Care Needs in Commercial Plans" Quality Care for Special Kids: Profiles of Children with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities, Update #1 (September 2006)