Medicaid Accountable Care Organization Implementation and Behavioral Health Care for Children

Is implementation of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) associated with changes in behavioral health care access and quality for children with behavioral health conditions?In this cross-sectional study including 15 783 Medicaid-insured children (representing 29 885 590 nationally) with behavioral health conditions, Medicaid ACO implementation was not associated with improvements in behavioral health care access or care experience. ACO implementation was associated with an increase in unmet mental health needs.Results of this study suggest that Medicaid ACOs have not yet produced broad gains in behavioral health care for children and may exacerbate unmet needs, underscoring the need for pediatric-specific strategies within ACO models.

Corresponding Author: Chanup Jeung, PhD, Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, College of Integrated Health Sciences, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave, Pine Bush 129C, Albany, NY 12222 (cjeung@albany.edu).

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