Top of page
Health

Study investigates Medicaid and adults with autism 

boy with autism

While much attention has been paid to the increasing prevalence of autism among U.S. children and adolescents, less is known about the population of adults with autism. 

Medicaid is an important health care coverage provider for individuals with autism, including adults.Using administrative data from the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX), researchers from Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute found a substantial increase in the percent of adults receiving autism services in the Medicaid population from 2008-2012.

“An increasing number of adults will be relying on Medicaid, often through home and community-based services waiver programs, for key services, such as support for community integration and for maintaining employment, into the future,” said Whitney Schott, Ph.D., an assistant researcher professor in the Autism Institute and lead author on the study.

There was higher prevalence of ASD among younger adults (ages 18-24) over the 2008-2012 time period than other adults. Prevalence was lowest among older adults (ages 41-64).

“These results underline the importance of identifying effective and efficient service delivery models within Medicaid to serve the growing number of adults with ASD,” said Schott.

Researchers examined Medicaid administrative claims data from 2008-2012, including the population of adults with autism as well as a random sample of adults without autism, in order to identify the administrative prevalence of autism by age category. They looked at individuals that were enrolled in Medicaid for at least nine out of 12 months per year, in order to get a better sense of true administrative prevalence.

“Little is known about the age composition of the adult population with autism,” said Schott. “Our research provides key information about the distribution of autism across adult ages over the period 2008-2012, showing that prevalence is higher and growing more quickly among younger adults (ages 18-24) compared to older adults.”

She added as more and more youth with autism age into adulthood, many will rely on Medicaid for continued services to integrate into the community, workplace and economy. State Medicaid programs and other insurance providers would be interested in learning more about the age distribution of the adult population with autism enrolled in Medicaid to better serve them.

You might also like

Doctor holding a digital tablet with x-ray of brain and skull skeleton Doctor holding a digital tablet with x-ray of brain and skull skeleton

WHO and France host high-level meeting to tackle meningitis

Global leaders highlight the need to defeat meningitis – a leading…

Child interacting with colored lights bubble tube lamp Child interacting with colored lights bubble tube lamp

Sensory room provides inclusive experience at Optus Stadium

A new sensory room at Optus Stadium, constructed at a…

old couple looking at a phone old couple looking at a phone

How technology gadgets improve elderly health

In an age defined by scientific spreads, advancement isn’t just…

Vaccines shot drug needle syringe Vaccines shot drug needle syringe

Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 meningitis vaccine

Nigeria has become the first country in the world to…