Working Paper: NBER ID: w20202
Authors: Yaa Akosa Antwi; Asako S. Moriya; Kosali Simon
Abstract: The Affordable Care Act of 2010 expanded coverage to young adults by allowing them to remain on their parent's private health insurance until they turn 26 years old. While there is evidence on insurance effects, we know very little about use of general or specific forms of medical care. We study the implications of the expansion for the use of inpatient hospitalizations. Given the prevalence of mental health needs for young adults, we also specifically study mental health related inpatient care. We find evidence that compared to those aged 27-29 years, treated young adults aged 19-25 years increased their inpatient visits by 3.5 percent. Visits related to mental illness increased 9.0 percent. The prevalence of uninsurance among hospitalized young adults decreased by 12.5 percent; however, it does not appear that the intensity of inpatient treatment changed despite the change in reimbursement composition of patients.
Keywords: Affordable Care Act; Young Adult Mandate; Inpatient Care; Mental Health; Health Insurance
JEL Codes: I13
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| ACA young adult mandate (G52) | overall non-birth inpatient visits (I19) |
| ACA young adult mandate (G52) | direct hospital admissions (I11) |
| ACA young adult mandate (G52) | mental health-related inpatient visits (I11) |
| ACA young adult mandate (G52) | uninsured hospitalized young adults (I13) |
| ACA young adult mandate (G52) | intensity of inpatient treatment (I12) |