Health Care Utilization for Privately and Publicly Insured Children During Autism Insurance Reform

We examined the effects of insurance type on health service utilization among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) following autism insurance reform by analyzing the most recent data from the 2019 National Survey of Children's Health. Families with private insurance were less likely to report that their health insurance covered needed services compared to families with public insurance. Privately versus publicly insured children were not significantly different in receiving behavioral or medication treatment, or in parental frustration in efforts to obtain services. However, parents' frustration escalated with increased ASD severity. Findings from this study suggest the need for continuing to improve implementation of health insurance reform legislation and providing adequate ASD-related services for children with private insurance.