TY - JOUR
T1 - County-level variation in the prevalence of medicaid-enrolled children with autism spectrum disorders
AU - Mandell, David S.
AU - Morales, Knashawn H.
AU - Xie, Ming
AU - Polsky, Daniel
AU - Stahmer, Aubyn
AU - Marcus, Steven C.
PY - 2010/10/1
Y1 - 2010/10/1
N2 - This study examined how county-level resources are associated with the identification of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Medicaid. Medicaid claims from 2004 were combined with county-level data. There were 61,891 children diagnosed with ASD in the Medicaid system in 2004. Counties with lower per-student education expenditures, more students, a greater proportion of students in special education, higher per capita number of pediatricians and pediatric specialists, and a greater proportion of Medicaid enrollees and white residents had higher Medicaid prevalence. Within states, counties differ in how they implement Medicaid policies. The results suggest the substitution of education and Medicaid-reimbursed services. Our findings highlight the need for geographically targeted outreach to minority groups and clinicians to improve recognition of ASD.
AB - This study examined how county-level resources are associated with the identification of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Medicaid. Medicaid claims from 2004 were combined with county-level data. There were 61,891 children diagnosed with ASD in the Medicaid system in 2004. Counties with lower per-student education expenditures, more students, a greater proportion of students in special education, higher per capita number of pediatricians and pediatric specialists, and a greater proportion of Medicaid enrollees and white residents had higher Medicaid prevalence. Within states, counties differ in how they implement Medicaid policies. The results suggest the substitution of education and Medicaid-reimbursed services. Our findings highlight the need for geographically targeted outreach to minority groups and clinicians to improve recognition of ASD.
KW - Autism spectrum disorders
KW - Geographic variation
KW - Medicaid
KW - Prevalence
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U2 - 10.1007/s10803-010-0982-2
DO - 10.1007/s10803-010-0982-2
M3 - Article
C2 - 20195736
AN - SCOPUS:77957681628
VL - 40
SP - 1241
EP - 1246
JO - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
JF - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
SN - 0162-3257
IS - 10
ER -