At a Glance | June 2, 2022 How High-Deductible Health Plans Affect Use of Health Care Services and Spending Among Enrollees With Mental Health Disorders MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES Percentage of Population Under Age 65 Diagnosed With Various Mental Health Disorders, 2013–2019 Individuals with major depressive disorder, anxiety, 8.1% % +70 and ADHD account for % the majority of patients with +29 5.3% mental health disorders. 4.8% 4.1% % +18 The prevalence of each has 2.8% 2.3% been increasing. Depression Anxiety ADHD 2013 2019 2013 2019 2013 2019 HEALTH CARE USAGE Impact of HDHP on Probability of Receiving Various Types of Health Care Services Switching plans reduced not only the extent of mental Depression Anxiety ADHD health care use, but also the –18% –14% –15% amount of other health care Mental Health Office Visits services used among patients –19% –16% –16% Inpatient Hospital Admissions with mental health disorders –8% –9% –6% Emergency Department Visits after moving from a PPO to a high-deductible health plan –5% –6% –5% Primary Care Physician Visits (HDHP). –4% –3% –7% Specialist Office Visits –1% –1% –4% Prescription Drug Fills SPENDING SHIFTS Impact of HDHP on Health Care Spending Employer spending fell by a Employer Spending Participant Employee Spending greater amount and percentage Decrease Diagnosis Increase than overall spending. Employee spending increased Depression –$1,463 +$326 because the move from the preferred provider organization Anxiety –$1,305 +$321 (PPO) to the HDHP shifted some pre-deductible spending –$1,149 ADHD +$281 onto users of health care. SOURCE: Fronstin, Paul, and M. Christopher Roebuck, “How Do High-Deductible Health Plans Affect Use of Health Care Services and Spending Among Enrollees With Mental Health Disorders?,” EBRI Issue Brief, no. 555 (Employee Benefit Research Institute, March 10, 2022). © 2022 EBRI This report is copyrighted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). You may copy, print, or download this report solely for personal and noncommercial use, provided that all hard copies retain any and all copyright and other applicable notices contained therein, and you may cite or quote small portions of the report provided that you do so verbatim and with proper citation. Any use beyond the scope of the foregoing requires EBRI’s prior express permission. For permissions, please contact EBRI at permissions@ebri.org.