The Causal Effect of Scaling up Access to Psychotherapy

Abstract This paper estimates the causal effect of scaling up access to psychotherapy. I study a 2008 reform of the Danish public health insurance, which introduced 60% coverage for psychotherapy by private practice psychologists for patients aged 18–37 diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Using administrative data from 1995–2019 and quasi-experimental methods, I show that psychotherapy coverage reduces psychiatric hospital contacts, physical health care use, and suicide attempts, but has no effect on labor market outcomes, including employment or disability pension. Still, savings from reduced use of other health care services exceed policy costs, making it both cost-reducing and welfare-improving.