A four-year comparison of physical health benefit expenditures of mental and physical health claimants.

The pattern of covered physical health benefit expenditures before and after initiation of mental health treatment for a cohort of individuals with mild to moderate mental health problems was examined in this study. The results indicated the mental health treatment group (MHTG) began to have higher total covered benefits expenditures about one year prior to starting mental health treatment. Statistically significant differences between the MHTG and comparison groups (groups with no mental health treatments during the study period and matched on age and gender) began at the quarter just before treatment and continued through the seventh quarter after treatment initiation. The higher pattern of total health benefit expenditures of the MHTG declined gradually for two years before it returned to pretreatment levels. The study suggests the need for a better understanding of the types of physical health benefits expenditures preceding and following mental health treatment. It further indicates that the integration of physical and mental health benefits case management may have potential for reducing overall health benefit costs.