Original Investigation

Mental Health Utilization Gap by Insurance Type Among US Adults With Chronic Pain

JAMA Health Forum 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2026.2946

September 04, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT

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In this cross-sectional study, among adults with chronic pain and mental health need, utilization gaps were more than double under private insurance vs military or VA coverage, and cost barriers were substantially more common among the privately insured. These patterns are consistent with a role for affordability and integrated care delivery, though cross-sectional data cannot distinguish insurance design from selection into coverage types.

Corresponding Author: Fenan S. Rassu, PhD, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N Wolfe St, Phipps 160, Baltimore, MD 21287 (frassu1@jhmi.edu).

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