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Background <p>Evaluation of service utilization for common mental health disorders among pediatric population during the COVID-19 pandemic may help identify potential barriers to service use among different groups. This study investigates the utilization of health care services for depression and anxiety among 3-17-year-olds before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p> Methods <p>The monthly cases of depression and anxiety disorders in 2019 and 2020 were identified using Medicaid claims data from the largest care management organization serving Georgia, US. Service utilization rates were compared between pre-COVID and during/post-COVID using negative binomial regression in an interrupted time series study design. Subgroup analyses were done by age group, gender, and government benefits program participation status.</p> Results <p>The average monthly encounters per 1,000 beneficiaries for depression and anxiety disorders decreased by 13.2% and 4.4% during the pandemic. There were statistically significant reductions in month-to-month service utilization for both depression and anxiety in the post-pandemic period across subgroups.</p> Discussion <p>Utilization of pediatric health care services for anxiety and depression of the population studied decreased during the pandemic. This may have led to an increase in mental health conditions post pandemic.</p>

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Changes in pediatric service utilization for depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月20日

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  • Kiran Thapa,
  • Janani Rajbhandari,
  • Eunhae Shin,
  • Yehia Abdelsamad,
  • Daniel Salinas,
  • Emily Anne Vall

摘要

Background

Evaluation of service utilization for common mental health disorders among pediatric population during the COVID-19 pandemic may help identify potential barriers to service use among different groups. This study investigates the utilization of health care services for depression and anxiety among 3-17-year-olds before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

The monthly cases of depression and anxiety disorders in 2019 and 2020 were identified using Medicaid claims data from the largest care management organization serving Georgia, US. Service utilization rates were compared between pre-COVID and during/post-COVID using negative binomial regression in an interrupted time series study design. Subgroup analyses were done by age group, gender, and government benefits program participation status.

Results

The average monthly encounters per 1,000 beneficiaries for depression and anxiety disorders decreased by 13.2% and 4.4% during the pandemic. There were statistically significant reductions in month-to-month service utilization for both depression and anxiety in the post-pandemic period across subgroups.

Discussion

Utilization of pediatric health care services for anxiety and depression of the population studied decreased during the pandemic. This may have led to an increase in mental health conditions post pandemic.