Utilization of Care for Mental Disorders Under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan for Federal Employees, 1972

The author examines in detail the utilization experience under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan for federal employees, especially its high option program, which provides virtually equal benefits for mental as for other conditions. Under this option total benefits paid for the care of mental conditions in 1972 amounted to 11. 92 per person covered, which was 7. 3 percent of the total benefits for all conditions. Comparison with previous years shows that utilization of care for mental conditions is increasing absolutely and in relation to utilization for all conditions, a trend manifest since the beginning of the program. Some explanations of this trend are offered.