ADHD in managed care: an assessment of the burden of illness and proposed initiatives to improve outcomes.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often results in persistent problems with attention and impulsivity; these problems, in turn, contribute to impairments in a wide range of functions that affect academic, social, and workplace performance. The chronic and cumulative effects of these difficulties can be overwhelming and outline the significant burden of illness associated with ADHD, which is realized in diminished quality of life for patients and their families and increasing costs or loss of revenue for payers and employers. This burden warrants significant consideration and action from managed care stakeholders to foster sound clinical practice and optimal care. For example, educational interventions and evidence-based tools can be implemented to assist providers with accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment. Furthermore, extensive data documenting the benefits of pharmacotherapy and provider follow-up have demonstrated that initiatives designed to encourage treatment adherence may be the best investment for managed care plans seeking to improve outcomes in patients with ADHD.