National spending on mental health and substance abuse treatment by age of clients, 1997.

This article examines 1997 national expenditures on mental health and substance abuse (MH/SA) treatment by 3 major age groups: 0-17, 18-64, and 65 and older. Of the total $82.4 billion in MH/SA expenditures, 13% went to children, 72% to adults, and 15% to older adults.

Trends in mental health insurance benefits and out-of-pocket spending.

Background: Insurance benefits can have a large effect on whether one is able to access health care services. Mental health and substance abuse (MHSA) insurance coverage has typically been less generous than that of general health services.

Aims Of The Study: This paper examines trends in the generosity of private insurance benefits for mental health (MH) services in the United States from 1987 to 1996.