Published in:
01-03-2007 | Original paper
Treatment with Antidepressant Medications in Private Health Plans
Authors:
Mary Jo Larson, Kay Miller, Kathleen J. Fleming
Published in:
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
|
Issue 2/2007
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Abstract
This study analyzed 2002 MarketScan data from a convenience sample of enrollees with private health insurance from the largest U.S. firms to examine utilization, expenditures, and factors associated with antidepressant prescriptions. Of enrollees, 11% received at least one antidepressant prescription during the year with average expenditures per enrollee of $51.55. Antidepressant prescriptions were more frequently used than any form of other mental health care and for 42% of users was not associated with any clearly identified mental health or “off-label” indication. In logistical regression analyses, health plan type, prescription days supply, gender, region, age, employment status, and subscriber status were associated with unexplained antidepressant prescription use.