Primary Care Follow-Up After Mental Health and Substance Use Emergency Department Visits in Medicaid

Key Points

• To examine the frequency of primary care follow-up after emergency department visits for mental health and substance use conditions among Medicaid beneficiaries.
• Cohort study design
• Focus on Medicaid beneficiaries in Washington
• Assessment of primary care follow-up frequency after ED visits for mental health and substance use disorders
• Analysis of racial and social differences in care access
• Condition-concordant primary care follow-up was infrequent among patients
• Observed racial and social disparities highlight barriers to care access
• Tailored coordination and outreach may be needed to improve follow-up rates