Abstract
This paper presents a policy analysis of options for making a state’s mandated mental health benefit more flexible while maintaining insurance premiums at a constant level. The analysis illustrates the difficult choices facing legislatures that attempt to balance improved coverage for mental health care with concerns about rising health care costs. A sophisticated simulation model is used to assess the costs of four alternative insurance benefit design options.
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This research was supported by a contract from the commonwealth of Virginia.
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Frank, R.G., McGuire, T.G. & Salkever, D.S. Benefit flexibility, cost shifting and mandated mental health coverage. The Journal of Mental Health Administration 18, 264–271 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02518597
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02518597