Young adults who benefited from dependent coverage on behavioral health were approximately 45 percent less likely to encounter catastrophic health expenses (i.e., 75 percent out-of-pocket share of health care costs) under the PPACA’s dependent coverage expansion.

“Improved access to mental health care for people in this age group is critical given that they often have lower incomes, higher debt burden, and behavioral health issues often emerge at this age,” Karoline Mortensen, associate professor of health sector management and policy at the University of Miami School of Business Administration, said in a statement.

Mortensen, who conducted the research with University of Maryland School of Public Health researchers, added, “We also found young Latinos, African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities saw the greatest reduction in out-of-pocket medical expenses related to behavioral health. Those in this group of Americans often experience higher unemployment rates and lower salaries and, therefore, are less likely to seek behavioral health services.”