Autism and Medicaid Service Claim Approvals in AZ among Children and Adolescents
This study investigates the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) data, Arizona’s form of Medicaid. All children enrolled in AHCCCS are eligible for behavioral health services through the regional behavioral health authority (RBHA). AHCCCS claims total approval amounts data for the 2018 year as well as for the initial year of enrollment in AHCCCS for consumers age 18 and under are included in the data, as well as race/ethnicity, year of first ASD diagnosis, county, number of mental health clinics in zip code, and median income in census tract. These data provide the opportunity to better understand the individual and community factors contributing to health resilience, particularly as it relates to access to services among children diagnosed with ASD in Arizona. Based on health care access research, it is that disparities in claim approvals among Latinx children will be found. These findings will support my goal to identify and mitigate diagnostic and treatment disparities among Latino children with ASD. This study serves as a platform for discussing solutions to the problem with key stakeholders. A potential solution is the inclusion of community level programs to support Latinx children in accessing greater care and services through AHCCCS approvals. One example is the use of Parents Taking Action using the promotora de salud (community health worker) approach to health information delivery. This project is funded by the Arizona State University Knowledge Exchange for Resilience Fellowship.
This study investigates the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) data, Arizona’s form of Medicaid. All children enrolled in AHCCCS are eligible for behavioral health services through the regional behavioral health authority (RBHA). AHCCCS claims total approval amounts data for the 2018 year as well as for the initial year of enrollment in AHCCCS for consumers age 18 and under are included in the data, as well as race/ethnicity, year of first ASD diagnosis, county, number of mental health clinics in zip code, and median income in census tract. These data provide the opportunity to better understand the individual and community factors contributing to health resilience, particularly as it relates to access to services among children diagnosed with ASD in Arizona. Based on health care access research, it is that disparities in claim approvals among Latinx children will be found. These findings will support my goal to identify and mitigate diagnostic and treatment disparities among Latino children with ASD. This study serves as a platform for discussing solutions to the problem with key stakeholders. A potential solution is the inclusion of community level programs to support Latinx children in accessing greater care and services through AHCCCS approvals. One example is the use of Parents Taking Action using the promotora de salud (community health worker) approach to health information delivery. This project is funded by the Arizona State University Knowledge Exchange for Resilience Fellowship.