Behavioral and Developmental Health Problems and Medicaid Costs for Youth Approaching Adulthood by Gender and Basis of Eligibility in Selected States: FY 2006

In 2014, the Affordable Care Act will require all Americans, including young people aging out of the existing Medicaid program, to have health insurance (or pay a penalty). The physical, behavioral, and developmental health problems of the young people leaving Medicaid have rarely been studied. The purpose of this paper is to provide a snapshot of their health status and cost in selected states, focusing particularly on two high-cost groups that are automatically entitled to Medicaid—youth in foster care and youth receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In addition, we focus on those with behavioral and developmental health problems, regardless of their basis of eligibility.