How insurance coverage affects health care access for children with autism during COVID-19
Official title: Insurance Mandate Generosity, COVID-19, and Health Care for Children with Autism
Funded at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. · NIH-11010797 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different state insurance rules affect access to health care for kids with autism, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to find out what works best in helping these children get the care they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Canton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 14, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $526,386 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132128-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010797 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders who are affected by varying levels of insurance coverage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have autism spectrum disorders or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of state-level insurance mandates on access to health care services for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to analyze variations in insurance coverage across different states and how these differences affect health care utilization and unmet needs among children with ASD. By utilizing national survey data, the study will identify which specific features of insurance mandates are most beneficial for improving health care access. The findings will help inform policies to enhance health care financing for children with ASD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health care access and outcomes for children with autism by informing better insurance policies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that state insurance mandates can significantly impact health care access, suggesting that this study builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC.
Canton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Hao — Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC.
- Study coordinator: Yu, Hao
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.