Cost and utilization impacts of a Medicaid managed care organization’s behavioral health Wraparound program

November 27, 2023 | NWI

Citation: Chi, W., Nguyen, B. T., Kent, S. T. & Sylwestrzak, G. (2022). Cost and utilization impacts of a Medicaid managed care organization’s behavioral health Wraparound program. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental health Services Research, 49, 658-669.

Abstract: This study examined the impact of a wraparound program for adult Medicaid managed care organization members with serious mental health or substance use disorders on health care costs and utilization. This retrospective observational study used 2013-2018 claims data collected from a large Medicaid managed care organization operating in multiple states. We used an intention-to-treat difference-in-difference study design to examine the association of the wraparound with costs and utilization. Adult Medicaid members with an emergency department (ED) or inpatient visit for a behavioral health condition (index visit) were eligible for the study. Outcomes included all-cause and behavioral health-related costs and utilization during follow-up after the index visit’s admission date. Outcomes were calculated overall, as well as separately by inpatient, ED, and outpatient/wraparound settings.