Center for Population Health

The following information represents the percentage of Emergency Department (ED) visits for beneficiaries with a principle diagnosis of mental illness or intentional self-harm and who received a follow-up visit for mental illness. The follow-up visit occurred within 7 days and 30 days of the ED visit. The results are based on individuals ages 13 to 65 and older who had Medicare or private health insurance coverage.

The percentage of follow-up visits for mental illness after visiting an ED with the principal diagnosis of mental illness or intentional self-harm by age group includes results for 13-17 year-olds and 18-64 year-olds with private insurance coverage. Age groups for individuals with Medicare coverage include 18 to 64 years-old and 65 years and older.

In 2015, the year prior to the CT SIM implementation, greater percentages of individuals ages 18 to 64 with Medicare coverage (46.3%) received a follow up visit for mental illness than individuals with private insurance coverage (45.0%) within 7 days. However, greater percentages of individuals with private insurance coverage (61.2%) than Medicare coverage (59.7%) received a follow up visit within 30 days. When comparing age groups within type of insurance coverage, younger individuals were more likely than older individuals to have a follow up visit. Of those with private insurance coverage, 62.2% of 13-17 year-olds and 45.0 % of 18-64 year-olds received a follow up visit within 7 days. 74.5% of individuals with private insurance coverage 13-17 year-olds and 61.2% of 18-64 year-olds received a follow up visit within 30 days. Examining the results of individuals with Medicare coverage shows the 18-64 year-old age group (46.3%) was more likely to have a follow up visit than those 65 years of age and older (32.2%).

Since the implementation of CT SIM in 2016, the pattern of younger patients being more likely to receive 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 mental illness within 7 and 30 days. Of the youth (13-17 years old) with private insurance coverage, 68.7% had a follow-up visit within 7 days, and 81.1% had a follow-up visit within 30 days. 52.6% of individuals 18-64 years old with private insurance coverage received a follow-up visit within 7 days, and 66.6 % had a follow-up visit within 30 days. The percentage of individuals with Medicare coverage who received a follow-up visit within 7 days increased to 57.2% for 18 to 64 year-olds, and 43.0% for 65 and older. The percentage of individuals with Medicare coverage who received a follow-up visit within 30 days increased to 66.6% for 18 to 64 year-olds, and 51.6% for 65 and older.