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 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 18-64 years-old 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, 14.1% of individuals with Medicare coverage received a follow-up visit within 7 days and 18.7% received a follow up visit within 30 days. 10.3% of individuals with private insurance coverage received a follow-up visit within 7 days and 14.5% had a follow-up visit within 30 days.

When comparing the 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, 8.0% of 13-17 year olds and 10.3 % of 18-64 year olds received a follow up visit within 7 days. 8.0% of 13-17 year olds and 14.5% of 18-64 year-olds with private insurance coverage received a follow-up visit within 30 days. Examining the results of individuals with Medicare coverage shows the 18-64 year-old age group (14.1%) was more likely to have a follow-up visit within 7 days than those 65 years of age and older (12.6%). 18.7% of 18-64 year-olds and 14.8% of individuals 65 and older with Medicare coverage received a follow-up visit.

Since the implementation of CT SIM in 2016, the pattern of 18-64 year-olds 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. 18.0% of individuals 18-64 years-old with Medicare coverage had a follow-up visit within 7 days and 25.0% had a follow-up visit within 30 days. Whereas, 13.7% of individuals 18-64 years-old with private insurance coverage received a follow-up visit within 7 days and 17.9 % had a follow-up within 30 days.

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. Data for 13-17 year-olds were not available for 2017. 13.7% of individuals 18-64 years-old with private insurance coverage received a follow up visit within 7 days and 17.9 % 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 18.0% for 18 to 64 year-olds and 13.0% for 65 and older. The percentage of individuals with Medicare coverage who received a follow-up visit within 30 days increased to 25.0% for 18 to 64 year-olds and 15.9% for 65 and older.