STATISTICAL BRIEF #440: Expenditures for Treatment of Mental Health Disorders among Children, Ages 5-17, 2009-2011: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population

STATISTICAL BRIEF #440: Expenditures for Treatment of Mental Health Disorders among Children, Ages 5-17, 2009-2011: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population

AHRQ Stats: Children and Mental Health

More than 9 percent of U.S. children ages 5 to 17 were treated for mental health disorders in 2009-2011. (Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Statistical Brief #440: Expenditures for Treatment of Mental Health Disorders among Children, Ages 5-17, 2009-2011: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population.)

STATISTICAL BRIEF #440: Expenditures for Treatment of Mental Health Disorders among Children, Ages 5-17, 2009-2011: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population

June 2014

Karen E. Davis, MA

Highlights

• An annual average of 5.0 million or 9.3 percent of children ages 5-17 had some health care expenses for mental health disorders in 2009-2011.
• Average annual direct medical spending to treat mental health disorders totaled $10.9 billion (in 2011 dollars) during 2009-2011, with 44 percent ($4.8 billion) for prescription medications.
• Annual expenditures for mental health among school-age children with such expenses averaged $2,192 (in 2011 dollars) per child in 2009-2011.
• Nearly half of expenditures for treatment of mental health disorders for children ages 5-17 years during 2009 to 2011 were paid by Medicaid.