STATISTICAL BRIEF #454: Expenditures for Mental Health among Adults, Ages 18-64, 2009-2011: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population

Mental Health Care Costs

Mental health care costs for individuals ages 18 to 64 averaged more than $48 billion annually from 2009 to 2011, with 45 percent of the cost (about $22 billion) spent on prescription medicines. On average during that period, 28 million adults per year had health care expenses related to mental health diagnoses. (Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Statistical Brief #454: Expenditures for Mental Health among Adults, Ages 18-64, 2009-2011: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population.)

STATISTICAL BRIEF #454: Expenditures for Mental Health among Adults, Ages 18-64, 2009-2011: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population

October 2014

Chava Zibman, PhD

Highlights

• An annual average of 27.5 million adults ages 18-64 (14.3 percent of adults in that age range) had some health care expenses for mental health disorders in 2009-2011.
• Average annual direct spending to treat mental health disorders in adults ages 18-64 totaled $48.2 billion (in 2011 dollars) during 2009-2011, with 45.0 percent ($21.7 billion) going towards prescription medicines.
• Average annual mental health-related expenditures for adults ages 18-64 with mental health-related expenditures in 2009-2011 were $1,751 per person in 2011 dollars.
• About one-third of expenditures for treatment of mental health disorders for adults ages 18-64 were paid for by private insurance. Medicaid covered 24.2 percent, out-of-pocket expenses constituted 16.7 percent of expenses, and Medicare paid for 14.3 percent. The remaining expenditures were covered by sources such as veterans' benefits, TRICARE, Workers' Compensation, governmental aid, and other sources of private and public insurance.