| CONTACT: Carole Szpak
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|
The Hay Group Study
Health Care Plan Design and
Cost Trends--1988 through 1997
Prepared for:
National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems
Association of Behavioral Group Practices
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
May 1998
Executive Summary
The National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) asked
the Hay Group to analyze trends in the proportion of employer health care dollars spent on
behavioral health care. We used the Hay Benefits Reports, from 1988 through 1997, to
determine trends in plan design for both general health and behavioral health. Then, using
our Mental Health Benefits Value Comparison (MHBVC) model, we determined the value of
benefits offered by medium and large employers in the United States for each year.
Since 1987, there has been a dramatic change in the way health care
services are managed. Ninety-two percent of employers reported fee-for-service plans as
the most prevalent plan type in 1987. By 1997, fee-for-service plans were reported as the
most prevalent plan type by only 20 percent of employers. Preferred Provider Organizations
were reported as the most prevalent plan type by 34 percent of organizations in 1997.
Point of Service and Health Maintenance Organization plans were reported as the most
prevalent plan type by 22 percent and 24 percent of organizations, respectively.
This shift towards managed care has helped control health care costs
and utilization. From 1988 through 1991, health care costs increased by 16.8 percent per
year. From 1994 to 1997, health care costs increased by only 0.7 percent per year.
The total value of employer provided health care benefits, in
constant dollars, decreased by 10.2 percent over the last ten years. The value of general
health care benefits decreased by 7.4 percent since 1988, while the value of behavioral
health care benefits decreased by 54.1 percent. As a proportion of total health care
costs, behavioral health care benefits decreased from 6.1 percent in 1988 to 3.1 percent
in 1997.
Behavioral health care benefits have become more limited since 1988.
In 1988, 38 percent of plans imposed a day limit on inpatient psychiatric care. By 1997,
limits were imposed by 57 percent of plans. The most prevalent limit remained at 30 days
during this period. The number of plans imposing any limit on inpatient psychiatric care
increased from 63 percent in 1990 to 86 percent in 1997.
Outpatient behavioral health care limits have also changed.
Twenty-six percent of plans imposed an annual visit limit in 1988. In 1997, such limits
were imposed by 48 percent of plans. In addition to an increase in the number of plans
imposing a limit, the limit has decreased. In 1988, 46 percent of plans imposing a limit
allowed a maximum of 50 visits. In 1997, the most prevalent limit was 20 visits.
In addition to annual visit limits, many plans impose per visit
dollar limits and annual dollar limits. In 1988, 45 percent of plans imposed annual dollar
limits on outpatient psychiatric care. By 1997, the percentage of plans imposing these
limits had decreased to 40 percent. However, the dollar limits imposed by plans have not
kept pace with inflation. Most plans imposed a limit of $2,500 or less in 1988 and in
1997. To keep pace with inflation, a limit of $2,500 in 1988 would have to be increased to
$4,933 in 1997.
Data from Mutual of Omaha and NAPHS show a decrease in both
inpatient and outpatient utilization of behavioral health services and in average lengths
of stay. The Mutual of Omaha data show a decrease in outpatient behavioral health
utilization of 24.6 percent from 1993 to 1996. On the other hand, these data show an
increase in outpatient general health utilization of 27.4 percent from 1991 to 1996.
According to the Mutual of Omaha data, inpatient behavioral health admissions declined by
36.4 percent between 1991 and 1996. During the same period, inpatient admissions for
general health services declined by 13.2 percent.
It is important to note that the data in this report were collected
prior to implementation of the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996. The act requires parity
with respect to aggregate lifetime expense limits and annual dollar limits on mental
health benefits. The act does not require a plan to provide mental health benefits. The
law is effective starting with plan years beginning on or after January 1, 1998.
II. Methodology
The Hay Benefits Report collects data on the typical design of
health care benefits provided by medium and large employers in the United States. The data
in the 1997 Hay Benefits Report was collected from 1,043 US employers representing a broad
industry and geographic mix.
Plan design information for 1988 through 1997 was extracted from the
Hay Benefits Report for each year. The benefits for each year were coded into Hays
Mental Health Benefit Value Comparison (MHBVC) model. MHBVC was developed by the Hay Group
for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to provide estimates of the costs of
mental health parity.
The MHBVC produces a standardized benefits value based on the input
of over 125 items describing the benefit design of a health plan. These include
deductibles, coinsurance, maximum out-of-pocket and coverage limitations. In behavioral
health care, in particular, the model includes over 25 items including day, visit, and
dollar limits. The standardized benefits value is equivalent to the average premium for
health care for medium and large employers in the United States in 1997.
The BVC approach and the Hay Benefits report have been used
extensively by the private sector, NIMH, and the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to
analyze the cost and prevalence of benefits in the United States.
III. Findings
Cost Trends
The National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) asked
the Hay Group to analyze trends in the proportion of employer health care dollars spent on
behavioral health care. This analysis includes trends in absolute and proportionate
expenditures in health care costs and trends in behavioral health care plan design over
the last decade. In addition, this report shows specific characteristics of plans
regarding the treatment of inpatient and outpatient mental health services and provides
statistics on lengths of stay and utilization.
The total value of employer provided health care benefits decreased
by 10.2 percent from 1988 through 1997. This decrease in total value is attributed to the
shift towards managed care. The value of general health care benefits decreased by 7.4
percent since 1988, while the value of behavioral health care benefits decreased by 54.1
percent. As a proportion of the total value, behavioral health care decreased from 6.1
percent in 1988 to 3.1 percent in 1997.
The table below shows the total benefits value, general health
benefits value and behavioral health benefits value for each year from 1988 through 1997.
The dollar values shown are per single employee per year. In addition, it shows the
behavioral health value as a percent of the total value. (View
related charts)
Behavioral Health Care Benefit Costs as a Percent
of Total Health Care Benefit Costs
(All Values are in 1997 Dollars)
Year |
Total Value |
General Health Value |
Behavioral Health Value |
Behavioral Health as a
Percent of Total |
1988 |
$2,478.41 |
$2,326.87 |
$151.54 |
6.1% |
1989 |
$2,480.72 |
$2,336.19 |
$144.53 |
5.8% |
1990 |
$2,455.41 |
$2,320.35 |
$135.06 |
5.5% |
1991 |
$2,443.19 |
$2,316.14 |
$127.05 |
5.2% |
1992 |
$2,423.81 |
$2,305.08 |
$118.73 |
4.9% |
1993 |
$2,374.23 |
$2,268.61 |
$105.62 |
4.4% |
1994 |
$2,338.48 |
$2,243.74 |
$94.74 |
4.1% |
1995 |
$2,292.30 |
$2,207.50 |
$84.80 |
3.7% |
1996 |
$2,237.59 |
$2,161.66 |
$75.93 |
3.4% |
1997 |
$2,225.21 |
$2,155.60 |
$69.61 |
3.1% |
% Change 1988 - 1997 |
-10.2% |
-7.4% |
-54.1% |
|
Plan Design Trends
Over the last decade, the way health care is managed has changed
dramatically. Health care plans can be classified into four types with differing levels of
management: fee-for-service plans (FFS), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), Point of
Service Plans (POS), and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO).
Fee-for-service plan: A fee-for-service plan allows patients
to choose any provider and does not require patients to obtain referrals to see
specialists. They are considered loosely managed.
Preferred Provider Organization: A PPO allows patients to
receive medical services at a lower cost by obtaining care from network providers.
Patients may choose to receive care from a non-network provider; however, out-of-pocket
costs for these services are substantially higher than for services provided by network
providers. Patients do not need a referral to see a specialist. These plans are considered
moderately managed.
Point of Service Plan: A POS plan is similar to a PPO plan,
except that patients are required to receive a referral from their primary care physician
prior to receiving care from a specialist. These plans are also considered moderately
managed.
Health Maintenance Organization: An HMO requires patients to
receive care through a system of affiliated providers. Out-of-network services are not
available, except in emergencies. Patients must receive a referral from their primary care
physician prior to receiving care from another provider. HMOs are considered tightly
managed.
Under any of these four arrangements, a carve-out plan can be
implemented to provide mental health and substance abuse services. A carve-out plan is a
managed care approach that provides uniform care for mental health and substance abuse
treatment regardless of what type of plan provides for general health benefits. Carve-out
plans are considered tightly managed. Under a carve-out plan, costs are contained by
individual case management of the treatment each patient receives. Any treatment for
mental health or substance abuse must be pre-approved by a case manager.
At this time, there is uncertainty about the degree to which
carve-out plans that achieve substantial cost savings are used by medium and large
employers. For this study, we have arbitrarily assumed 20 percent of plans utilize a
carve-out approach for behavioral health care services in 1997.
Over the last 11 years, fee-for-service medical plans have become
significantly less prevalent as the primary medical plan (plan type covering most
employees) while managed care plans continue to gain in prevalence. The chart below shows
the shift in health care delivery systems from 1987 through 1997. Unless otherwise noted,
data presented in this report are from the Hay Benefits Report.

The last decade has also seen a shift in the way behavioral health
care services are managed. Specifically, there have been shifts in the way limits are
imposed on both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric health care.
The data in this report were collected prior to implementation of
the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 (MHPA). The MHPA requires parity in certain aspects
of provision of mental health and medical/surgical benefits under a plan that provides
both benefits. Specifically, it requires parity with respect to aggregate lifetime expense
limits and annual dollar limits on mental health benefits. In other words, if a plan
imposes an aggregate lifetime expense limit or an annual dollar limit on medical/surgical
benefits, the limit on mental health benefits cannot be less. The law does not require a
plan to provide mental health benefits. In addition, the MHPA allows plans to adopt higher
copayments and deductibles and, to impose limits on the number of visits or days. The
requirements of the MHPA do not apply to substance abuse benefits.
Inpatient Psychiatric Care - Day Limits
In 1988, 38 percent of plans imposed a day limit on inpatient
psychiatric care. By 1997, day limits were imposed by 57 percent of plans. While more
plans are imposing limits, the limit has remained stable. Of the plans imposing a day
limit, 59 percent imposed a limit of 30 days in 1988. In 1997, 57 percent of plans imposed
a limit of 30 days.
Psychiatric Care Room and Board - Level of Coverage
The level of coverage for inpatient psychiatric care is measured by
the percentage covered, as well as any maximums imposed on the amount of coverage (day
limits, for example). The percentage of plans covering inpatient psychiatric care at the
same maximum as other confinements (total of rows 1 and 3 in the table below) decreased
from 37 percent in 1990 to 14 percent in 1997. The percentage of plans covering inpatient
psychiatric care at 100 percent of reasonable and customary (total of rows 1 and 2 in the
table below) has remained relatively stable over the years. In 1988, 46 percent of plans
covered inpatient psychiatric care at 100 percent of reasonable and customary. In 1997, 47
percent of plans covered inpatient psychiatric care at 100 percent of reasonable and
customary.
| |
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
| 100% of R&C Same Maximum as Other Confinements |
22% |
22% |
14% |
10% |
7% |
7% |
4% |
5% |
6% |
7% |
| 100% of R&C Separate Maximum |
24% |
21% |
33% |
30% |
32% |
40% |
38% |
40% |
40% |
40% |
| Less than 100% of R&C (Same Maximum) |
|
|
23% |
16% |
12% |
9% |
9% |
8% |
7% |
7% |
| Less than 100% of R&C (Separate Maximum) |
54%* |
57%* |
30% |
44% |
49% |
44% |
49% |
47% |
47% |
46% |
* In 1988 &
1989, these amounts were reported as "Less than 100% of R&C - Same or Separate
Maximum."
In Hospital Psychiatric Care - Limits
The number of plans imposing a limit on inpatient psychiatric care
increased from 63 percent in 1990 to 86 percent in 1997. Also, the number of plans that
impose more than one limit increased from 16 percent in 1988 to 28 percent in 1997. The
first row of the table below shows the percentage of plans that impose a limit. The
remaining rows show the type of limits and the percentage of plans with limits that impose
each type. For example, in 1997, 86 percent of plans impose a limit and, of these, 47
percent impose a limit on the number of days of inpatient care that are covered.
| |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
| Plans with limits |
63% |
74% |
81% |
84% |
87% |
87% |
87% |
86% |
| Have a Maximum Number of Days Only |
59% |
46% |
42% |
41% |
42% |
47% |
47% |
47% |
| Have an Annual Dollar Limit Only |
7% |
5% |
5% |
5% |
5% |
4% |
4% |
4% |
| Have a Lifetime Dollar Limit Only |
18% |
25% |
25% |
24% |
23% |
21% |
21% |
21% |
| Have a Combination of Limits |
16% |
24% |
28% |
30% |
30% |
28% |
28% |
28% |
(data for 1988 & 1989 are unavailable)
Maximum Number of Visits Per Year for Outpatient Psychiatric Care
Outpatient psychiatric care limits have also changed. In 1988, 26
percent of plans imposed an annual visit limit. In 1997, 48 percent of plans imposed such
a limit. In addition to an increase in the number of plans imposing a limit, the number of
visits allowed has decreased. In 1988, 46 percent of plans that imposed a limit allowed a
maximum of 50 visits. In 1997, the most prevalent limit was 20 visits.
|
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
| Plans with Visit Limit |
26% |
28% |
33% |
35% |
34% |
39% |
40% |
43% |
47% |
48% |
| Fewer than 20 |
|
|
7% |
6% |
5% |
4% |
4% |
4% |
4% |
5% |
| 20 |
|
|
16% |
22% |
25% |
28% |
31% |
34% |
39% |
38% |
| 21 - 29 |
|
|
5% |
3% |
4% |
4% |
4% |
3% |
4% |
5% |
| 30 |
29%* |
34%* |
11% |
12% |
14% |
17% |
16% |
17% |
16% |
17% |
| 31 - 49 |
4% |
3% |
7% |
8% |
8% |
9% |
9% |
7% |
8% |
8% |
| 50 |
46% |
42% |
36% |
35% |
30% |
25% |
25% |
23% |
20% |
17% |
| 51 - 75 |
16% |
18% |
15% |
13% |
13% |
12% |
10% |
11% |
8% |
9% |
| More than 75 |
5% |
3% |
3% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
* In 1988 and 1989, the data are shown for 30 visits
and less
Outpatient Psychiatric Care - Maximum Benefit Per Visit
In addition to annual visit limits, plans impose per visit dollar
limits and annual dollar limits on outpatient psychiatric care. The table below shows the
percentage of plans imposing a per visit dollar limit and the limits imposed by these
plans. The amounts shown are not adjusted for inflation. Based on the overall trend in
health care costs, a limit of $50 in 1988 is equal to a limit of $98.65 in 1997.
Therefore, even though fewer plans are imposing per visit dollar limits, the amount of the
average limit is more restrictive than in 1988.
| |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
| Plans with Per Visit Dollar Limit |
27% |
26% |
25% |
23% |
21% |
19% |
17% |
17% |
| Less than $20 |
3% |
9% |
5% |
4% |
3% |
2% |
2% |
0% |
| $20 - $29 |
13% |
25% |
27% |
24% |
22% |
24% |
19% |
23% |
| $30 - $39 |
7% |
20% |
18% |
17% |
17% |
18% |
13% |
18% |
| $40 - $49 |
18% |
19% |
19% |
16% |
14% |
13% |
15% |
13% |
| $50 - $59 |
24% |
14% |
14% |
21% |
23% |
26% |
26% |
23% |
| $60 - $69 |
13% |
7% |
6% |
5% |
5% |
5% |
7% |
8% |
| $70 or greater |
22% |
6% |
11% |
13% |
16% |
12% |
18% |
15% |
Annual Dollar Maximum for Outpatient Psychiatric Care
In 1988, 45 percent of plans imposed annual dollar limits on
outpatient psychiatric care. Of these, 34 percent imposed limits of $751 to $1,000; 21
percent imposed limits of $1,001 to $1,999; and, 15 percent imposed limits of $2,000 to
$2,500. By 1997, the percentage of plans imposing limits had decreased to 40 percent. Of
these, 16 percent imposed a limit of $1,000; 23 percent imposed limits of $1,500 to
$1,999; 20 percent imposed limits of $2,000 to $2,499. Fourteen percent of plans imposed
limits greater than or equal to $5,000. Again these numbers are not adjusted for
inflation. Therefore, a limit of $1,000 in 1988 is equal to a limit of $1,973 in 1997.
Outpatient Psychiatric Care Coverage
There is a growing trend of providing outpatient psychiatric care
with a separate per visit copayment as opposed to providing these benefits under the
general medical plan deductible. The percentage of plans that do not cover psychiatric
care has remained stable.
| |
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
| Provided Subject to Medical Plan Deductible |
85% |
85% |
79% |
74% |
72% |
64% |
58% |
49% |
41% |
38% |
| Provided Subject to Separate Per Visit
Copay/Deductible |
6% |
6% |
10% |
13% |
14% |
18% |
21% |
26% |
32% |
35% |
| Provided and Not Subject to Deductible |
7% |
8% |
10% |
12% |
13% |
17% |
20% |
24% |
26% |
26% |
| Not Covered |
2% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
Percentage of Reasonable and Customary Charges Paid for Outpatient
Psychiatric Care
The typical percentage of reasonable and customary charges paid for
outpatient psychiatric care varies from 50 percent to 100 percent. Payment of 100 percent
of reasonable and customary is increasing in popularity while both 50 percent and 80
percent of reasonable and customary coverage are declining. It is important to remember
that coinsurance is not the only measure of the amount of coverage provided. The use of
other limits (such as per visit or annual dollar limits and limits on the number of
visits) decrease the actual amount of charges that a plan covers.
Columns do not total 100%. Some plans offer coinsurance
rates that are not shown in this table.
| |
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
| 50% |
68% |
63% |
55% |
52% |
50% |
43% |
42% |
37% |
32% |
31% |
| 80% |
|
|
23% |
23% |
23% |
22% |
20% |
20% |
16% |
16% |
| 90% |
|
|
4% |
5% |
6% |
8% |
7% |
7% |
8% |
9% |
| 100% |
|
|
13% |
13% |
15% |
22% |
23% |
30% |
36% |
38% |
*Data for 1988 & 1989 were not reported in this manner.
Summary of Maximum on Outpatient Psychiatric Care
The table on the following page shows a summary of the changes in
maximums on outpatient psychiatric care. The dollar values shown in this table have not
been adjusted for inflation. Therefore, a limit of $1,000 in 1988 is equal to a limit of
$1,573 in 1992 and $1,973 in 1997.
Maximums on Outpatient Psychiatric Care
1988 |
1992 |
1997 |
Of 628 respondents,
25% have no dollar maximum other than the overall major
medical plan maximum
Of those plans that have a maximum,
63% have an annual maximum only
10% have a lifetime maximum only
27% have a combination of both annual and lifetime maximums
|
Of 977 respondents,
33% have no dollar maximum other than the overall
comprehensive medical plan maximum
Of those plans that have a maximum,
39% have an annual maximum only
20% have a lifetime maximum only
41% have a combination of both annual and lifetime maximums
|
Of 1,004 respondents,
33% have no dollar maximum other than the overall
comprehensive medical plan maximum
Of those plans that have a maximum,
34% have an annual maximum only
41% have a lifetime maximum only
25% have a combination of both annual and lifetime
maximums.
|
For the 48 plans with a separate
dollar maximum per lifetime for outpatient psychiatric coverage, the common maximums are:
$5,000 and less (11%)
$7,000 to $10,000 (27%)
$20,000 to $29,999 (25%)
$50,000 and Greater (33%)
|
For the 69 plans with a separate
dollar maximum per lifetime for outpatient psychiatric coverage, the common maximums are:
less than $10,000 (17%)
$10,000 (38%)
$25,000 (12%)
$50,000 (16%)
|
For the 85 plans with a separate dollar
maximum per lifetime for outpatient psychiatric coverage, the common maximums are:
less than $10,000 (14%)
$10,000 (24%)
$20,001 to $29,999 (14%)
$50,000 (28%)
|
| Comparable data not collected in 1988. |
364 plans had a combination
inpatient/outpatient maximum; of these,
24% are $25,000
41% are $50,000
12% are greater than $50,000
|
355 plans have a combination
inpatient/outpatient maximum; of these,
23% are $20,001 to $29,999
41% are $50,000
14% are greater than $50,000
|
Of the 295 plans with separate annual
maximums for outpatient psychiatric care, the most common maximums are:
$500 and less (14%)
$751 - $1,000 (34%)
$1,001 - $1,999 (21%)
$2,000 - $2,500 (15%)
$3,000 - $4,999 (5%)
$5,000 or greater (5%)
|
Of the 406 plans with separate annual
maximums for outpatient psychiatric care, the most common maximums are:
Less than $1,000 (10%)
$1,000 (22%)
$1,500 - $1,999 (22%)
$2,000 - $2,499 (18%)
$2,500 - $2,999 (7%)
$3,000 - $4,999 (9%)
$5,000 or greater (9%)
|
Of the 396 plans with separate annual
maximums for outpatient psychiatric care, the most common maximums are:
Less than $1,000 (6%)
$1,000 (16%)
$1,500 - $1,999 (23%)
$2,000 - $2,499 (20%)
$2,500 - $2,999 ( 11%)
$3,000 - $4,999 (8%)
$5,000 or greater (14%)
|
Data From Other Sources
Mutual of Omaha - Current Trends Data - National Average
Each year, Mutual of Omaha produces a report entitled, "Current
Trends In Health Care Costs and Utilization." The reports are based on a sample of
Mutual of Omahas group business and the actual experience of their policyholders.
The policies included in the study represent a mixture of groups with and without managed
care features.
Hay has found that the Mutual of Omaha reports reflect national
trends. The advantage of the reports is that they provide detailed consistent information
on use of specific components of health care for a large insured base over a period of
years.
Office Psych Encounters and Average Claims
An "encounter" is defined as a patient/service date
combination. A patient who visits more than one physician in a day will have only one
visit counted for the day.
The table below shows the change in outpatient psychiatric
encounters and average charge per encounter from 1991 through 1996. During this period,
the number of outpatient psychiatric encounters decreased by 8.9 percent. After adjusting
for inflation, the average charge per encounter decreased by 7.0 percent.
| |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
% Change 1991 - 1996 |
| Encounters per 1,000 people |
313 |
346 |
378 |
360 |
339 |
285 |
-8.9% |
| Average Charge Per Encounter |
$81 |
$83 |
$84 |
$85 |
$87 |
$92 |
13.6% |
| Average Charge per Encounter in 1997 Dollars |
$100 |
$92 |
$86 |
$85 |
$86 |
$93 |
-7.0% |
The number of encounters per 1,000 people increased
between 1991 and 1993 by 20.8 percent. After 1993, the number of encounters per 1,000
began to decline. The decrease from 1993 to 1996 is 24.6 percent.
General Office Visit Encounters and Average Claims
The table below shows the change in general office visit encounters
and average charge per encounter from 1991 through 1996. The number of general office
visit encounters increased by 27.4 percent and the average charge per encounter increased
by 5.9 percent, after adjusting for inflation.
| |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
% Change 1991 - 1996 |
| Encounters per 1,000 people |
1638 |
1747 |
1928 |
1956 |
2023 |
2087 |
27.4% |
| Average Charge Per Encounter |
$41 |
$43 |
$46 |
$48 |
$51 |
$54 |
31.7% |
| Average Charge per Encounter in 1997 Dollars |
$51 |
$48 |
$47 |
$48 |
$50 |
$54 |
5.9% |
Inpatient Utilization - Mental and Behavioral
The tables below show the trends in inpatient utilization for mental
and behavioral diagnoses and all diagnoses. Inpatient utilization has decreased across all
categories of care. However, the decrease has been more dramatic for mental and behavioral
health care. From 1991 through 1996, the number of inpatient admissions per 1,000 people
declined by 36.4 percent for mental and behavioral diagnoses. For all diagnoses, the
decline was only 13.2 percent.
Similarly, lengths of stay have decreased across all categories of
care. Again, the decrease is more dramatic for mental and behavioral diagnoses than for
all diagnoses (50 percent compared to 18.3 percent).
| |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
% Change 1991
- 1996 |
| Inpatient Admissions per 1,000 people |
5.5 |
5.2 |
4.7 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
3.5 |
-36.4% |
| Average Length of Stay |
17.0 |
14.6 |
13.3 |
12.3 |
10.4 |
8.5 |
-50.0% |
| Inpatient Days per 1,000 people |
93 |
76 |
62 |
53 |
46 |
29 |
-68.8% |
Inpatient Utilization - All Diagnoses (including mental &
behavioral)
| |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
% Change 1991
- 1996 |
| Inpatient Admissions per 1,000 people |
69.7 |
68.6 |
66.2 |
62.3 |
63.2 |
60.5 |
-13.2% |
| Average Length of Stay |
6.0 |
5.8 |
5.7 |
5.6 |
5.1 |
4.9 |
-18.3% |
| Inpatient Days per 1,000 people |
416 |
396 |
378 |
347 |
322 |
294 |
-29.3% |
Inpatient Utilization - General Health Diagnoses (excluding
mental & behavioral)
| |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
% Change 1991
- 1996 |
| Inpatient Admissions per 1,000 people |
64.2 |
63.4 |
61.5 |
58.0 |
58.8 |
57.0 |
-11.2% |
| Inpatient Days per 1,000 people |
323 |
320 |
316 |
294 |
276 |
265 |
-18.0% |
Separating general health diagnoses shows greater disparity between
the decline in mental health and general health inpatient utilization. Inpatient
admissions per 1,000 people for mental and behavioral diagnoses declined by 36.4 percent
between 1991 and 1996. During the same period, inpatient admissions per 1,000 people for
general health diagnoses declined by 11.2 percent. Also, inpatient days per 1,000 people
declined by 18.0 percent for general health diagnoses and by 68.8 percent for mental and
behavioral diagnoses.
The results of the Mutual of Omaha survey confirm the trends shown
in the Hay Benefits Report regarding plan design and management. While utilization has
decreased across all categories of care, mental and behavioral utilization has declined at
a faster pace.
National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems Annual Survey
Reports
Each year NAPHS surveys its members to examine various aspects of
the behavioral health delivery system. The data reported in the NAPHS surveys show a
decrease in average lengths of stay from 1993 to 1996 of 29 percent. (View charts)
Also see:
APPENDIX A, Typical Plan Design 1988 and 1997
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