TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2022//
TI  - A population-based study of mental health diagnoses and child protection system involvement among medicaid-insured children
JO  - Journal of pediatrics
A1  - Putnam-Hornstein, Emily
A1  - Foust, Regan
A1  - Cuccaro-Alamin, Stephanie
A1  - Prindle, John
A1  - Nghiem, Huy
A1  - Ahn, Eunhye
A1  - Palmer, Lindsey
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the population prevalence of diagnosed mental health disorders among Medicaid-insured children <18 years old in California based on levels of current and past child protection system (CPS) involvement. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective, population-based study, we examined the full population of children enrolled in California's Medicaid program for at least one month between 2014 and 2015 and who had at least one claim during that period (N = 3,352,886). Records for Medicaid-insured children were probabilistically linked to statewide CPS records of maltreatment and foster care placements since 1998. A primary or secondary mental health diagnosis was classified using International Classification of Diseases codes. <br><br>RESULTS: Overall, 14% (n = 470,513) of all children insured through Medicaid in 2014-2015 had a documented mental health diagnosis. Among children with a diagnosis, the percentage with CPS involvement (i.e., any report for maltreatment) was nearly twice that of the Medicaid population overall (50.4% vs. 26.9%). This finding held across all diagnostic groups, but with notable variations in magnitude. A graded relationship emerged between the level of CPS involvement and the likelihood of a mental health diagnosis. Diagnoses among children reported for maltreatment were common, regardless of placement in foster care. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Findings document high rates of both mental health diagnoses and past child protection involvement in a population of Medicaid-insured children. Most children reported for maltreatment will never be placed in foster care, underscoring the importance of ensuring that the children who remain at home receive the proper array and coordination of services.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0022-3476
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.08.029
ID  - ref1
ER  -