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 males than females with private insurance coverage had a follow-up visit for AOD after visiting an ED with a principal diagnosis of alcohol or other drug abuse or dependence. Conversely, greater percentages of females than males with Medicare insurance coverage had a follow-up visit for AOD after visiting an ED with a principal diagnosis of alcohol or other drug abuse or dependence. Specifically, 11.6% of males with private insurance had a follow up visit within 7 days and 16.1% had a follow-up visit within 30 days. Whereas, 8.3% of females with private insurance had a follow-up visit within 7 days and 11.5% had a follow up within 30 days. On the other hand, 14.4% of females with Medicare coverage had a follow-up visit within 7 days, and 19.0% had a follow-up visit within 30 days. Lower percentages of males with Medicare coverage had a follow-up visit: 13.3% within 7 days and 16.7% within 30 days.

Since the implementation of CT SIM in 2016, the pattern of females 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. 13.3% of males with private insurance had a follow-up visit within 7 days, and 17.3% had a follow-up visit within 30 days. Whereas, 12.7% of females with private insurance had a follow-up visit within 7 days and 16.7% had a follow-up within 30 days. On the other hand, 18.5% of females with Medicare coverage had a follow-up visit within 7 days and 24.5% had a follow-up visit within 30 days. Lower percentages of males with Medicare coverage had a follow-up visit: 15.0% within 7 days and 20.3% within 30 days.