Autism and families' financial burden: the association with health insurance coverage

Abstract

We examined the relationship between family financial burden and children's health insurance coverage in families (n = 316) raising children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), using pooled 2000-2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data. Measures of family financial burden included any out-of-pocket spending in the previous year, and spending as a percentage of families' income. Families spent an average of $9.70 per $1,000 of income on their child's health care costs. Families raising children with private insurance were more than 5 times as likely to have any out-of-pocket spending compared to publicly insured children. The most common out-of-pocket expenditure types were medications, outpatient services, and dental care. This study provides evidence of the relative inadequacy of private insurance in meeting the needs of children with ASD.

Keywords: Medicaid; autism; health care costs; out-of-pocket spending; private insurance.