Center for Population Health

The following information represents the percentage of Emergency Department (ED) visits for which the individual had a principle diagnosis of alcohol or other drug abuse or dependence and received a follow-up visit for alcohol or other drug use (AOD). The follow-up visit occurred within 7 days and 30 days of the ED visit. The results were based on individuals ages 13 to 65 and older who had Medicare or private health insurance coverage.

In 2015, the year prior to the CT SIM implementation, greater percentages of individuals with Medicare coverage received a follow up visit for AOD after visiting an ED with a principal diagnosis of  alcohol or other drug abuse or dependence than individuals with private insurance coverage.  Specifically, 13.7% of individuals with Medicare coverage received a follow-up visit within 7 days and 17.5% received a follow-up visit within 30 days. Whereas, 10.2% of individuals with private insurance had a follow-up visit within 7 days, and 14.2% had a follow-up within 30 days.

Since the implementation of CT SIM in 2016, the pattern of individuals with Medicare coverage being more likely to have a follow up visit continued.  In 2017, the most recent year data are available, greater percentages of all patients received a follow-up visit for AOD within 7 and 30 days.  16.2% of individuals with Medicare coverage had a follow-up visit within 7 days and 21.8% had a follow-up visit within 30 days. Whereas, 13.0% of individuals with private insurance coverage received a follow-up visit within 7 days and 17.1 % had a follow-up within 30 days.