Utilization of health and mental health services in a large insured population

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Abstract
Data [1975] on the use of health and mental health services by the 2.3 million people covered by Michigan, USA Blue Cross and Blue Shield was analyzed. Only 4.6% of the covered population submitted hospital or physician claims for mental disorder; these people accounted for 7.3% of total hospital and physician charges for all health services in the covered population. According to the claims submitted, nonpsychiatric physicians saw almost half of all patients who were given a diagnosis of mental disorder, but psychiatrists accounted for the great bulk of mental health services and charges to these patients. High utilizers comprise a small proportion of all patients but account for a high proportion of charges for mental disorders and for all diagnoses.