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Tele-Mental Health Service: Unveiling the Disparity and Impact on Healthcare Access and Expenditures during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mississippi

Author

Listed:
  • Yunxi Zhang

    (Department of Data Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
    Center for Telehealth, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA)

  • Lincy S. Lal

    (Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA)

  • Yueh-Yun Lin

    (Center for Telehealth, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA)

  • J. Michael Swint

    (Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
    John P and Katherine G McGovern Medical School, Institute for Clinical Research and Learning Healthcare, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA)

  • Ying Zhang

    (Center for Informatics and Analytics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA)

  • Richard L. Summers

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA)

  • Barbara F. Jones

    (Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA)

  • Saurabh Chandra

    (Center for Telehealth, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
    Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA)

  • Mark E. Ladner

    (Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, tele-mental health (TMH) was a viable approach for providing accessible mental and behavioral health (MBH) services. This study examines the sociodemographic disparities in TMH utilization and its effects on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and medical expenditures in Mississippi. Utilizing a cohort of 6787 insured adult patients at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and its affiliated sites between January 2020 and June 2023, including 3065 who accessed TMH services, we observed sociodemographic disparities between TMH and non-TMH cohorts. The TMH cohort was more likely to be younger, female, White/Caucasian, using payment methods other than Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial insurers, residing in rural areas, and with higher household income compared to the non-TMH cohort. Adjusting for sociodemographic factors, TMH utilization was associated with a 190% increase in MBH-related outpatient visits, a 17% increase in MBH-related medical expenditures, and a 12% decrease in all-cause medical expenditures (all p < 0.001). Among rural residents, TMH utilization was associated with a 205% increase in MBH-related outpatient visits and a 19% decrease in all-cause medical expenditures (both p < 0.001). This study underscores the importance of addressing sociodemographic disparities in TMH services to promote equitable healthcare access while reducing overall medical expenditures.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunxi Zhang & Lincy S. Lal & Yueh-Yun Lin & J. Michael Swint & Ying Zhang & Richard L. Summers & Barbara F. Jones & Saurabh Chandra & Mark E. Ladner, 2024. "Tele-Mental Health Service: Unveiling the Disparity and Impact on Healthcare Access and Expenditures during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mississippi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:7:p:819-:d:1420327
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna Macintyre & Daniel Ferris & Briana Gonçalves & Neil Quinn, 2018. "What has economics got to do with it? The impact of socioeconomic factors on mental health and the case for collective action," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 4(1), pages 1-5, December.
    2. Wilkinson, Richard G & Pickett, Kate E., 2006. "Income inequality and population health: A review and explanation of the evidence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(7), pages 1768-1784, April.
    3. Stephanie Griggs & Christine Horvat Davey & Quiana Howard & Grant Pignatiello & Deepesh Duwadi, 2022. "Socioeconomic Deprivation, Sleep Duration, and Mental Health during the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-10, November.
    4. Rusi Jaspal & Glynis M Breakwell, 2022. "Socio-economic inequalities in social network, loneliness and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(1), pages 155-165, February.
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