Health care utilization and expenditures for children with autism: data from U.S. national samples

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Health Services Research
• Developmental Disorders

Background:

• Limited data exists on healthcare utilization and expenditures for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Understanding these patterns is crucial for resource allocation and policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide nationally representative data on health service utilization and expenditures for children with ASD.
• To quantify the healthcare burden associated with ASD in children.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey analysis using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and the National (Hospital) Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (NHAMCS).
• Identified children with ASD from NHAMCS (weighted sample size 186,281) and MEPS (weighted sample size 340,158).

Main Results:

• Children with ASD had higher rates of outpatient visits, physician visits, and prescribed medications compared to the general pediatric population.
• Physician visits for children with ASD were longer in duration.
• Annual healthcare expenses for children with ASD averaged $6,132, significantly higher than the $860 for other children.

Conclusions:

• Children with ASD face a substantial burden of medical illness, reflected in higher healthcare service utilization and costs.
• These findings underscore the need for targeted healthcare support and financial planning for families affected by ASD.