The Fastest Rising Health Care Cost? Take a Guess
By Pat Racimora on September 26, 2009 at 11:40 AM in Health Care, Insurance Policies & Industry
Can you guess which health care costs are rising the fastest? I’ll even help you out by listing the top five (and portraying them in my toon).
Cancer
Asthma
Trauma (externally inflicted injuries)
Heart Conditions
Mental illness
Got your answer in mind?
If you guessed Mental Illness or Trauma, you would be right. Both have skyrocketed in recent years (even accounting for inflation). According to a study by Medical Expenditure Panel Survey:
In terms of health care expenditures, the same five conditions were ranked as the five most costly conditions in 1996 and 2006. There was an increase in the expenditures for each of these conditions when comparing them over time. The number of people with expenditures associated with these conditions increased from 1996 to 2006 for all conditions except trauma-related disorders.
The biggest increase in number of people accounting for expenditures was for mental disorders (19.3 million to 36.2 million).
The expenditures for mental disorders rose from $35.2 billion in 1996 (in 2006 dollars) to 57.5 billion in 2006. Medical expenditures on trauma-related disorders also increased substantially from 1996 (in 2006 dollars) to 2006, $46.2 billion to $68.1 billion.
When we talk about health problems, we are usually refering to chronic physical illnesses. That the number of people accounting for expenses for mental disorders almost doubled in recent years should be of great concern. But who is talking about this? Who is concerned about the debilitating depression and anxiety caused by the economic collapse and feelings of insecurity?
We have multiple types of mental health professionals, and people who are experiencing emotional distress should consider consulting one. But unlike physical conditions, research reveals that stigma remains attached to seeking help for emotional problems. It’s no problem to announce, “I broke my leg in three places last week” compared to, “I am seeing a psychologist for my deep depression.” Stigma increases isolation which, in turn, can exacerbate symptoms.
However, even those who seek assistance may find it lacking, not because of any shortcoming on the part of the professionals but because one’s insurance allows far fewer sessions than needed to adequately resolve the problem. My colleagues complain that they can often barely scratch the surface before the allotted number of sessions (often as few as 4) are up, especially when the matter is of long duration. Meds may relieve symptoms, but they can’t fix an underlying problem.
My main point for doing this story is to help bring to light the fact that mental disorders comprise a major health issue in terms of cost as well as frequency. Thirty six million people went for help in 2006. That’s a lot of troubled folks. I would bet that number has increased in the last three years. And how many just suffer alone, remaining uncounted?
One ray of hope is us. Most of us can’t perform surgery or find a cure for cancer, but we can reach out to others who are depressed or stressed out. Not every mental disorder can be treated by simple caring, of course, but friendship is a powerful medicine for those who are having trouble coping with a troubled world.
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It’s odd that you should post this. A friend of mine killed himself yesterday. What surprised me is how angry I am. I miss him and I’m furious at the same time.
Guess I’m not handling this very well.
Well trauma and mental illness started to grow when our troops started coming back missing limbs and half their brains!
Now the REST of the GP is infected as OBambam continues the invasion after promising to bring them home!
Franken had NO idea apropos his LYING LIARS BOOK would reflect his OWN damn party in the end! HIS party NOT MY party anymore!
nothing but crooks, liars, wussies, elite ostriches, poor ostriches and a lot of rats with a huge H branded on their back sides (for hypocrites) of course!
argh typos
he had NO idea HOW apropos his stupid book would be
“Well trauma and mental illness started to grow when our troops started coming back missing limbs and half their brains!”
This has just been brought out in the open since the Bush Wars because it HAD to due to the different kinds of warfare and injuries. But trauma and mental illness from wars has just been renamed from “shell shocked” in WW-I and probably earlier; now it’s named as “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”.
The mental illnesses aren’t all of one category, but have many names with different symptoms and affects. A lot of the mental hospitals of the past have been closed due to costs, and many new drugs have been developed for various symptoms. Not all drugs will “fit” all of the various mental illnesses - it’s not “one drug fits all”. Not all physicians are educated as to what type of drug is useful for all types of mental illnesses. All humans are not built with the same physical and mental chemistry to be fed the same pills.
I believe, too, that many drugs are prescribed for some, as in children, who are diagnosed with “a” mental illness, but instead lack social skills and environments to nurture their growth and life.
There’s still a long way to go before mental illnesses will be accepted as medical issues, treated and talked about openly. The jails are being filled with mentally challenged persons because the hospitals don’t have facilities to accept and treat them. The streets are also being overrun by homeless persons who have mental illnesses of varying degrees. There aren’t enough mental health specialists for the number of those who need their help.
The subject must be written about, discussed, and opened up so that those who believe that it’s “all in you head” and just “snap out of it” can learn that mental illnesses are diseases just as “physical” maladies.
I’m sorry about your friend candy. You are handling grief whatever way it works itself out in you. So there is no wrong way. Being pissed is pretty common, speaking from experience of losing a spouse, not by suicide, but still bad unsolved circumstances. It took me quite some time. Grief is as unique as love. Go easy on you.
{{{candyyyyyyyy}}}
yes me too! I get to angry about other stuff but still very sorry to hear about your friend!
Candymarl,
I’m sorry to hear about your friend. Some years ago a friend of mine also committed suicide. We, our small community, were all outraged that she would do so. And alongside it came sadness. As Katmoon says, we all handle grief in our own ways. Something that has helped me tremendously over the years dealing with loss is a book called How To Survive The Loss of a Love. Just a suggestion. Hang in there. I’m keeping you in my thoughts.
Katmoon says it best, so I’ll just add hugs to you, candymarl. I think it would be pretty normal to just want to scream at your friend, “Why didn’t you tell me? I would have helped!!!”
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Your feelings of both anger and loss are normal, and I don’t know anyone who handles loss well, it’s a shock. Especially when it’s self-inflicted. Take good care of yourself.
I would be PO’d as well, Candymarl. Sorry to hear about your friend though.
Wow Candymarl, deeply sorry to hear of this loss. The anger. Where to go with it?
Candymarl–I am so very sorry to hear this. Your reaction is very normal though–both sadness and anger.
Candymarl, so very sorry to hear of your loss. Condolences to you and to your friend’s family. A big cyberhug to you, too.
I don’t know you know, but I feel compelled to share your sorrow about your friend.
Condolences
Hi Candy, I’m sorry for your loss. I’m still angry with my brother. He committed suicide in 1982 and I’m still mad at him. The only thing that changes is that you don’t think about it as often.
Pat, I admit that your post surprises me.
On my own, I would have guessed obesity, which leads to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, dialysis, and multiple joint problems.
Mental illness has been ignored and under-funded for decades. Tipper Gore did a lot of advocacy for better treatment.
We don’t seem to pay attention until someone goes off the deep end and violence erupts.
I also believe there is a rash of misdiagnosed mental illness; as in people who are not comfortable with our country post 9/11, thus becoming depressed. It isn’t a big leap to get there. Much of the social fabric of this country has changed and been altered to the extreme over the past decade. 50%+ divorce rate, add in there the financial problems we have to cope with because of two wars, people losing their homes, adult children becoming overly dependent on their parents, and and uptick in violent crimes, with particular attention to crimes against women, especially murder and rape). I understand our generations each change as we move along, but the extreme’s which have occurred, over such a short period of time have given us a whole host of reasons to have mental illness increase. We know why for example depression has increased, but the lingering of depression exacerbating into further mental illnesses tells me we haven’t looked for solutions, or if we have there are few to be found.
Trauma, I can imagine is increased a great deal since cell phones have been allowed while driving, not to mention the sheer amount of incapable people on the road at any given time, I imagine abuse is figured into trauma, as well as assault.
Respect of each other and of the toll “it” can all take is clearly rearing its head in these the two largest of medical expenditures.
I think a lot of the Bush Derangement Syndrome and subsequent Obama Worship is the result of 9/11 trauma that is manifesting in denial among many liberals-they just can’t believe that America might have enemies that would want to take us out.
His name was Harold Kirkpatrick. A really sweet man and good friend of mine. God rest his soul.
Rest in peace, Harold Kirkpatrick. candymarl, so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss candymarl. Such a shock to your system. Anger is a normal reaction to loosing someone so quick. I hope you can find some peace as the days go by and pray you get to a point where you remember the good times you shared in life. it takes time I am sure you will get there. ((candymarl))
RIP Harold Kirkpatrick.
Hi candy,
Thinking about you this evening; and I wanted to share a custom some Native American tribes do after the death of someone they care about. You set a place at your table for that person, for a year. They say it takes a year for the soul to find its way to where it is to go to next. The “dinner” plate for your unseen guest gives you the opportunity to have conversations with your friend, good bad and ugly, as well as creates a ritual for you, for as long as you want. Sometimes I think we have difficulty mourning in our country. Just like any other rite of passage, when a ritual is developed and a behavior created to express the emotion, there is some relief for those in emotional pain, which is (IMHO)far more hurtful than physical pain. I know when my husband passed I had some times I would yell at his dinner plate( I put a picture there to help with the visual). Because of the deep depression his death put me in, I went to a psychiatrist, who correctly understood I was very angry, and encouraged me to just have my feelings. I did, much like a child at first, because this was new to me. Eventually I could understand my anger, and whatever guilt and blame I had acquired because of his death. I finally worked for hospice for about a year, to do death to death, so I would have some comprehension of why and my feelings.
Suicide is so very difficult as it harms so many people and is a situation which leaves many unanswered questions. I would also suggest asking his name be added to a prayer circle, many churches do so regardless of the type of death. Specifically I know Catholic Churches will add his name to their rosary and pray for him, this may help also.
Take Good care of You. (candymarl-Kiss to yer cheek)
Amen, Pat! Thanks for highlighting it. It is s HUGE issue, particularly among the military. But, even for the general population, people are afraid to admit they’ve sought treatment either through medication or therapy for depression or are taking medication for Bi-Polar Disorder. On the other hand, parents, teachers and administrators in our education system are in a very big hurry to dose children up on medications for ADHD.
Side note: This is a nightmare! Last night on PBS, was watching the parents of an autistic son being interviewed about health care reform. I did not realize that AUTISM IS NOT MEDICALLY COVERED UNDER ANY INSURANCE CARRIER. It’s not considered a “medical” condition. What a fucking travesty.
One out of every 150 children in this country have been diagnosed with AUTISM; their autism is not covered under insurance. That’s patently CRIMINAL.
It’s not surprising to me that Mental Illness would be at the top. We have an out of touch wacko government controlling our lives. The mental illness of the federal bureaucracy alone probably skyrocketed it to the top. The rise of Trauma is no doubt directly connected to the effects the citizenry are experiencing as a result of that mental illness.
On a less snarky (though you have to admit that I am not totally off base) note, what do you think of the federal government’s plan to jail us should we be unable or unwilling to pay the penalty for not purchasing health care insurance? And no, this is not a joke.
Don’t have Health Insurance? Can’t pay the Penalty? Go to JAIL!!!
Frankly, I think that having a way to vent anger keeps a lot of people from depression. This is such a weird time in our history. If we had to keep it bottled up, there would be a lot of people imploding.
Two factors may be at work here. First, more and more mental/emotional treatments were being included in many insurance plans. Second, and possibly as a result of the first, it became more and more sociably accepted to seek treatment for these problems.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
You are at least partially right, Stan. However, insurance reimbursement has been curtailed in recent years from previous levels which may offset some of the figures.
I would have guessed heart problems or cancer.
You are right Pat. Mental problems are also difficult to even talk about. We haven’t moved that far from the “possessed by the devil” theory of causation.
Again a wonderful cartoon!
Since we are talking about 2006 data on mental illness, when the economy was doing better, then this cannot be blamed on the economy, how many people lost their homes, how many people stay together because they cannot afford to divorce and/or the high unemployment rate.
Does anyone know how much of the Medicare expense is for mental illness treatment?
Also, how does the new medical health care program going to affect mental health care and costs including if there is anything in the budget for helping to prevent mental problems or catching them early, so that few sessions may be required and maybe even fewer divorces?
It would be interesting to see now that we have hope we can believe in, if the mental health costs will go down. (snark)
Rich
the old saying.
all the world is crazy except you and me.and i wonder about you lol
Why is everyone surprised? After the last election season I think most are fu*king insane. Add in all the insane Bushbots that we had to put up with for 8 years. Then we have/had the Obamabots, those with Clinton Derangement Syndrome and Palin Derangement Syndrome! That is one hell of alot of insanity! I think practically everyone is nuts anymore. i have never seen such a large number of people who live in a delusional state most of the time. Thank god for NoQuarter and Riverdaughter!. A small island populated with PUMA’s with sane writing and common sense.
There’s a lot of truth in your comment. The country has apparently gone collectively insane, wildly gyrating from right to left. Then, most likely, it will go hard right in 2012. I’m sick of it. Even among my friends, I can count on one hand those who don’t drink the red or blue Kool-Aide. The rest chug the crap.
Pat, can you provide more information on a breakdown (no pun intended) of how mental health dollars were spent in 1996 vs. 2006.
For example what percentage of expenditures were for office visits, counseling, hospitalization, Rx, etc.
Mental health issues are complex. I personally know people with real mental health issues and some whom I believe are drug addicts gaming the system to support their addictions.
My late husband, mother and sister all benefited greatly from the use of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications during the end-of-life stage of their illnesses, lung cancer, kidney failure, and Parkinsons/dementia respectively.
But on the other hand look at how the media is saturated with advertisements for anti-depressant medications. People who watch the evening news broadcasts must be the sickest bunch of folks there are. If I remember correctly the law was changed some time ago to allow Rx drugs to be advertised to the general public. Did that help create a demand that wouldn’t have been there without direct advertising?
Sorry, Typical Gram Cracker (love your handle!)
The data do not show that breakdown, and I could not find it elsewhere. It would be interesting to know.
I am sure that all of the ads have fostered “medical student’s disease” (list of symptoms and one is sure they “have it”). We are all feeling down from time to time, or stressed, or angry. Most of the time the last thing we need is a pill.
But I hope I didn’t come off as putting down meds. They can be life-savers–literally. And just feeling better is worth something.
My point was only that they don’t typically “cure” what leads one to be stressed or depressed or whatever.
Nice toon and topic, Pat. Anyone interested in details of recent utilization of mental health services in the U.S., including breakdown by states, may fin the following site of interest. But be prepared for a lot of boring tables and stats. The FAQ section in the sidebar is interesting.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/MentalHealthStatistics/URS2008.asp
In light of our dire health care and economic situation, it is only natural that people become angry, depressed and anxious.
I’ve never posted here, but the mental illness issue got my attention. Candymarl, I’m so sorry about your friend. Be angry. You’re handling it just fine. Why lie and pretend you’re not angry? Nobody gets to decide how you should handle losing a friend in such a way.
I was a double major in college in Psychology and Sociology. I completely agree that more visits to a therapist should be covered. More counseling and less pills are always a good thing. I’ll leave it at that.
By my senior year in college, I’d already decided that I’d NEVER work in the mental health field because it has changed DRASTICALLY over the last 10-15 years in the worst way. It is now a business and an extremely lucrative one. If they can’t fit a patient into a little box, they’ll just create another mental illness and find another pill for people to take.
Bipolar is the new black. EVERYBODY is suddenly bipolar. Mood swings aren’t bipolar and neither is PMS. Now they’ve even started to change the definition of bipolar and claim you can still be bipolar without the depression/suicide part. Sorry, but that makes you UNIpolar. Now they are starting to label children as bipolar. Anti-psychotic drugs for children now? My aunt was bipolar, back when it was known as Manic Depressive. Believe me, what I see now is NOTHING like what I saw with her while I was growing up, both inside institutions and at home. Not even CLOSE.
The goal no longer seems to be helping people get through their problems and out on the other side, but keeping them as patients as long as possible. And if you’re poor, government agencies will give you all sorts of pills free of charge and even make sure you’re registered to VOTE!! It’s one of the first documents they provide for you on your first visit.
I studied Psychology and Sociology because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the diversity of human BEHAVIOR. What is being taught in college now is about controlling human behavior and doing whatever it takes to pressure people to conform to subjective norms as defined by arrogant control freaks. It made me nauseated to watch young students being taught to prey on vulnerable people. Luckily, I went back to college when I was older.
People really need to research state laws regarding mental health issues in their states, because the laws being passed now are giving them even more power. Just last year in Louisiana, they passed a law that allows them to commit somebody BEFORE they become a threat to themselves or others. Thought threats? You Betcha! Yes, the law is unconstitutional, but nobody seems to care about that. If they’re “trying to help,” who cares about the US Constitution?
Criminal records can be expunged. Addicts go to rehab. Once a person is “labeled” as a mental patient, it’ll NEVER go away. It will haunt them forever. A complete stranger can call the police and get you locked up. And each time that happens, it’s even easier to do it repeatedly for the rest of your life.
If you call 911, the operator sees a mental patient. So do the police before they arrive at your house. They won’t know if you’re in physical danger or having a psychotic episode. If it’s a disagreement with a neighbor, you’re automatically considered the least reliable. If you go to the emergency room, you are automatically herded towards the mental health professionals, no matter what physical symptoms you may have. A close friend of mine almost died because they thought his asthma attack was a psychotic episode. My closest friend’s mother was committed repeatedly for 6 years, including given shock treatments. What was wrong with her? A BRAIN TUMOR.
What needs to be done for the benefit of every person who may need help for mental and emotional issues at some point is to destroy the entire mental health field and start over, beginning with the field of Social Psychology. It’s downright manipulation and you only have to look at the last Presidential campaign and that gutless squatter in the White House to see the mental health field at work.
In the meantime? Be as informed as possible on the LAW. Don’t go to an emergency room, especially if you have good insurance, unless there is a real threat of physical injury to someone.