Male-female differences in mental health visits under cost-sharing

This article, which was prepared as part of a larger study of the impact of the copayment requirement on United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) beneficiaries carried out at the National Center for Health Services Research (NCHSR), compares male to female changes in ambulatory care visits for mental disorders and discusses the implications of these changes for the use of other services and for the quality of care. Figures were derived from aggregate claims data provided by the UMWA for the time periods immediately preceding the introduction of copayment (full coverage for all health care) and the first year following the introduction of copayment. Our findings suggest that, at least as far as visits for mental disorders are concerned, copayment may reduce necessary visits. The men in our population, who sought care for mental disorders more sparingly than women and for more severe complaints, were most affected by copayment.