Designing a Benefit Plan for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

The rising costs of mental health services for children and adolescents are a growing concern for insurers and employers alike. Several studies have indicated that the costs for children's treatment continue to grow, while others have reported that only a small number of the children diagnosed with mental disorders receive treatment. The authors propose an innovative model benefit plan and briefly provide the rationale for coverage and payment features. (January 1992)