Becker's Healthcare December 15, 2025
Ella Ruder

Behavioral healthcare made up 40% of all medical spending for U.S. children in 2022 — nearly double the share from 2011 — according to a study published Dec. 15 in JAMA Pediatrics. The findings highlight sharp increases in out-of-pocket costs for families and shifts in how children receive behavioral healthcare.

This cross-sectional study analyzed data on U.S. children ages 6 to 17 using 2011-2022 questionnaire responses from Medical Expenditure Panel Survey’s household component files.

Here are four things to know:

  1. Expenditures reached $41.8 billion in 2022, with families paying $2.9 billion out-of-pocket....

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Topics: Mental Health, Patient / Consumer, Physician, Primary care, Provider, Survey / Study, Trends
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