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. 2018 Nov;45(6):924-932.
doi: 10.1007/s10488-018-0875-9.

Changes in Health Insurance Coverage and Barriers to Health Care Access Among Individuals with Serious Psychological Distress Following the Affordable Care Act

Priscilla Novak  1 , Andrew C Anderson  2 , Jie Chen  2
Affiliations

Changes in Health Insurance Coverage and Barriers to Health Care Access Among Individuals with Serious Psychological Distress Following the Affordable Care Act

Priscilla Novak et al. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2018 Nov.

Abstract

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to expand health insurance coverage and minimize financial barriers to receiving health care services for individuals. However, little is known about how the ACA has impacted individuals with mental health conditions. This study finds that the implementation of the ACA is associated with an increase in rate of health insurance coverage among nonelderly adults with serious psychological distress (SPD) and a reduction in delaying and forgoing necessary care. The ACA also reduced the odds of an individual with SPD not being able to afford mental health care. Mental health care access among racial and ethnic minority populations and people with low income has improved during 2014-2016, but gaps remain.

Keywords: Access to care; Affordable Care Act; Mental health; Serious psychological distress.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest Ms. Novak was an employee of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality at the time this manuscript was prepared. The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors who are solely responsible for the content. The views in this manuscript do not represent those of the US Government, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Mr. Anderson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Health care access and coverage among adults (aged 18–64) with serious psychological distress (2011–2016). ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05 (2011 is the reference year)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Health care access and coverage among individuals (aged 18–64) with serious psychological distress and low family income (< 200% federal poverty line) (2011–2016). ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05 (2011 is the reference year)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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