Comorbidity and Unmet Service Needs Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children With Identified Disabilities

Abstract

The comorbidity of health and mental health problems among Medicaid-enrolled children and youth in Florida with a designated health or mental health disability was examined and compared to that of Medicaid-enrolled children with no disability. Slightly higher rates of health problems (42%) were found among children with mental health disabilities compared to the rate of mental health problems (35%) found among children with health disabilities.Within both groups, similar rates (~ 26%) of current comorbid health and mental health problems were found. Regarding health services, less than 1% to 11% of the children experiencing significant health problems were receiving no services, depending on disability group. Rates of unmet mental health needs were higher, ranging from 4% among children with no identified disability to 22% among children with an identified health disability.These data support the need for a comprehensive health policy emphasizing the assessment of all Medicaid-enrolled children with disabilities for comorbid health or mental health problems.