How Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations affect behavioral health care for children
Official title: Effect of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations on Behavioral Health Care Quality and Outcomes for Children
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-10928206 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) can help improve behavioral health care for children, especially during tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic, to see if they make it easier for kids to get the support they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $552,484 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH134176-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928206 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-21 years who are experiencing behavioral health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have behavioral health diagnoses or are outside the age range of 0-21 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) on the quality and outcomes of behavioral health care for children. It aims to understand how ACOs can improve access to and coordination of behavioral health services, particularly in the context of the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. By analyzing data from Massachusetts, where ACOs have been implemented, the study will explore the effectiveness of these organizations in addressing the needs of children with behavioral health disorders. The research will utilize a natural experiment approach to gather insights on care integration and the social determinants affecting children's health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved behavioral health care delivery for children, enhancing their overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on adult populations have shown that ACOs can improve care quality, but this research is novel as it focuses specifically on pediatric populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goff, Sarah L — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Goff, Sarah L
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.