Abstract
Background: Studies have examined utilization of health care services by civilian children with special health care needs but not utilization among child dependents of military personnel. Objective/Hypothesis: To identify children with special health care needs (SN) among military members and retirees and to examine their health care utilization and its association with type of condition. Methods: Our sample was derived from child dependents ages birth to 18 years old of military personnel with health care enrollment in FY2011. We defined SN based on diagnosis and service intensity. We accrued one year of health care utilization for each child starting with the date of first diagnosis qualifying as SN (i.e., 2+ visits). Health care utilization measures were any inpatient stay; number of outpatient visits (excluding emergency department [ED] visits), ED visits, and number of psychotropic and non-psychotropic prescriptions. Results: Conditions with the highest prevalence were ADHD/conduct disorders (41.2%), other behavioral health (BH) disorders (30.4%), asthma (25.3%) and arthritis (23.8%). Boys and children ages 6-18 were more likely to have BH conditions. Twelve percent had inpatient stays, 63% used the ED, and mean ED visits was 4.6. The mean outpatient visits was 27.9. Utilization was consistently higher for children with both BH and physical health (PH) conditions, children under age 5 (with the exception of number of psychotropic prescriptions), and those enrolled in the military’s Extended Health Care Options (ECHO) program. Conclusions: Connecting subgroups of children who utilize more health care services to military support programs and civilian health care is critical.