Frequency, predictors, and expenditures for pediatric insurance claims for complementary and alternative medical professionals in Washington state

Allen Bellas, William E. Lafferty, Bannie Lind, Patrick T. Tyree

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: This study describes the frequency, predictors, and expenditures for the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in an insured pediatric population. Methods: Washington state requires CAM-licensed medical professional coverage in private health insurance. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of services provided to children in 2002 by conventional professionals, chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, acupuncturists, and massage therapists. Both χ2 tests and logistic regression analysis were used to identify statistically significant differences in use and explanatory factors. Results: Of 187323 children covered by 2 large insurance companies, 156689 (83.6%) had any claims during the year. For those with claims, 6.2% of children used an alternative professional during the year, accounting for 1.3% of total expenditures and 3.6% of expenditures for all outpatient professionals. We found that CAM use was significantly less likely for males (odds ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.95) and more likely for children with cancer, children with low back pain, and children with adult family members who use CAM. Visits to chiropractors or massage therapists nearly always yielded diagnoses of musculoskeletal conditions. In contrast, diagnoses from naturopathic physicians and acupuncturists more closely resembled those of conventional professionals. Conclusions: Insured pediatric patients used CAM professional services, but this use was a small part of total insurance expenditures. We found that CAM use was more common among some children, depending on their sex, age, medical conditions, and whether they had an adult family member who used CAM. Although use of chiropractic and massage was almost always for musculoskeletal complaints, acupuncture and naturopathic medicine filled a broader role.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)367-372
Number of pages6
JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Volume159
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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