Date of Conferral
2021
School
Health Services
Advisor
Kim Sanders
Abstract
The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the relationship between primary care services, mental health services, patient visits, and insurance reimbursement for individuals with a mental health diagnosis who visit primary care facilities. The theoretical integrated theory of health behavior changes has been vital in identifying the contributing factors to the relationship between primary care, mental health services, and insurance reimbursement. The research questions explored whether any relationship existed between mental health diagnosis and office visits, outpatient versus inpatient, the amount paid for treatment, and reimbursement of services. This study used a quantitative approach along with a Pearson bivariate correlation, Spearman rank-order correlations, and Chi-square tests to show the relationship between the variables of primary care, mental health services, patient visits, and reimbursement. The target population were individuals with mental health diagnoses seeking services at primary care facilities; this study used publicly available data from the 2015 NSDUH. The findings of this study indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between mental health diagnosis, number of visits, and outpatient care and that there was no significant relationship between inpatient/outpatient and mental status. The findings suggested that those diagnosed with a mental health diagnosis receive greater Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement than those without a mental health diagnosis. This study created an understanding of the risk factors associated with individuals with mental health issues receiving care in primary care settings which may lead to positive social change.
Recommended Citation
Avant, Keith, "Reimbursement of Mental Health Service for Individuals Seeking Services at Primary Care Facilities" (2021). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 10703.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/10703
