Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Articles by Stein, B. D. Articles by Hutchinson, S. L. PubMed Citation Articles by Stein, B. D. Articles by Hutchinson, S. L. Health Insurance Service Utilization Other Health Services Issues Related Articles

Predictors of Timely Follow-Up Care Among Medicaid-Enrolled Adults After Psychiatric Hospitalization

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether predictors of timely follow-up care after inpatient psychiatric discharge in non-Medicaid populations also predicted timely follow-up care among Medicaid-enrolled adults. METHODS: The study examined the rates of seven- and 30-day follow-up care for 6,730 Medicaid-enrolled adults discharged from inpatient psychiatric facilities during 2004 and 2005 by using claims data from the largest Medicaid managed behavioral health organization in a large mid-Atlantic state. The relationship between predictor variables and timely aftercare was examined by using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Thirty percent of individuals received follow-up care within seven days, and 49% received follow-up care within 30 days. After the analysis controlled for age and gender, those receiving clinical services in the 30 days before hospitalization were significantly more likely to receive follow-up care within seven days (odds ratio [OR]=3.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]=3.20–4.03) than individuals with longer inpatient stays (ten or more days) (OR=1.34, CI=1.15–1.57) and individuals from urban communities (OR=1.18, CI=1.05–1.34). African Americans (OR=.69, CI=.60–.78), individuals with co-occurring behavioral health and substance use disorders (OR=.78, CI=.68–.89), individuals involuntarily admitted (OR=.79, CI=.68–.91), and individuals discharged against medical advice (OR=.59, CI=.39–.87) were significantly less likely than their comparison groups to receive follow-up care within seven days. Thirty-day follow-up care results were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Patient sociodemographic, clinical, and service utilization characteristics predicted timely follow-up care. Efforts to improve follow-up care utilization should target higher-risk individuals while developing and evaluating interventions to address specific barriers in these groups.

Related Articles:

Postdisharge Follow-Up: Research and Practice Disconnect

Carol E. Adair
Psychiatr Serv 2007 58: 1521. [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2007 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us