US EditionStudy Reveals Significant Financial Strain on Families Seeking Mental Healthcare
Pediatric behavioral health spending reached $41.8 billion in 2022, with families paying $2.9 billion out-of-pocket and costs rising 6.4% annually, more than double other medical expenses.
- Researchers analyzing national spending patterns on Dec. 16, 2025 found pediatric behavioral health expenditures totaled $41.8 billion in 2022, with families paying $2.9 billion out-of-pocket and behavioral care making up about 40% of all U.S. children’s medical spending.
- Researchers found that shifts in care settings drove spending growth as expenditures rose fastest for home health care and use shifted toward community-based care venues with improved access.
- Out-of-Pocket costs rose 6.4% annually for families of children receiving behavioral health services, who are 60% more likely to face high financial burden and 40% extreme burden, Dr. Ashley Foster said.
- Many families are forced to seek care outside their insurance network, and researchers urged stronger state-level parity laws and better reimbursement to reduce financial strain.
- Telehealth rapidly expanded with visits increasing 99% annually from 2020 to 2022, but gaps in funding and cross-state regulations require state regulators and policymakers to improve access and affordability.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Study reveals significant financial strain on families seeking mental healthcare
Behavioral health care has surged to represent 40 % of all medical expenditures for U.S. children in 2022, nearly doubling from 22 % in 2011, according to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics. Researchers found that pediatric behavioral health expenditures totaled $41.8 billion in 2022, with families paying $2.9 billion out-of-pocket.
Parents are looking for additional insurance plans to cover their needs and reduce the direct payments that burden households' pockets.
Behavioral Health Spending Spikes to 40% of All Children’s Health Expenditures, Nearly Doubling in a Decade
Behavioral health care has surged to represent 40% of all medical expenditures for U.S. children in 2022, nearly doubling from 22% in 2011, according to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics. Researchers found that pediatric behavioral health expenditures totaled $41.8 billion in 2022, with families paying $2.9 billion out-of-pocket.
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