Health Care Setting and Minimally Adequate Depression Treatment Among Publicly Insured Children

How did care settings change among publicly-insured children with a depression diagnosis in 2020 compared with 2016 to 2019, and were changes associated with receipt of minimally adequate care?This cross-sectional study using claims data from 799 452 publicly insured children with depression in 41 states and Washington, District of Columbia, found that use of telemental health care increased in 2020 compared with 2016 to 2019. Children who received telemental health services in 2020 were more likely to receive minimally adequate treatment than those who received services in clinic settings only.The findings of this study support continued telemental health coverage by public insurance programs to ensure access to mental health care.

Corresponding Author: Janet R. Cummings, PhD, Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Ste 650, Atlanta, GA 30322 (jrcummi@emory.edu).

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