Louisiana has the highest rate of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the country, according to a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association study of medical claims.
The state's diagnosis rate for ADHD — a disease that limits a person's ability to hold attention, focus or control impulsive behavior — is 11 percent. BCBSA's report found nationally, 2.4 million commercially insured children have been diagnosed with ADHD, up 31 percent from 2010-17.
In a separate report also published in August, the Office of Inspector General found that more than 500,000 children covered by Medicaid who were newly prescribed medication for ADHD didn't receive proper follow-up care. In addition, more than 3,500 Medicaid-enrolled children who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of ADHD didn't receive adequate follow-up care. Fifty-four thousand children didn't receive any behavioral therapy either, the report found.
OIG recommended that CMS work to improve outcomes for children with ADHD by creating systems to better ensure children will receive timely follow-up care, among other efforts.
Find the BCBSA report here.
Read the full OIG report here.