Cross-system service use among VA mental health patients living in Philadelphia.
There are few published studies of cross-system use of multiple systems of mental health care. This study examines use of VA and non-VA services in Philadelphia County. Results indicated that rates of cross-system use overall are fairly low (16 to 17% of patients across all years), are generally declining over time, and account for a small proportion of total all-system costs (4%). Veterans who used more VA inpatient services also used more non-VA services, and veterans who used fewer VA outpatient services used more non-VA services, indicating that cross-system use may be a quality indicator for the accessibility or acceptability of outpatient care.
Desai
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RA
NEPEC/182, VA Connecticut, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA. Desai@biomed.med.yale.edu
Rosenheck
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RA
Rothbard
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A
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015143:Philadelphia / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014600:Utilization Review; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data