title: Hospital readmission among medicaid patients with an index hospitalization for mental and/or substance use disorder.
abstract: Hospital readmission rates are increasingly used as a performance indicator. Whether they are a valid, reliable, and actionable measure for behavioral health is unknown. Using the MarketScan Multistate Medicaid Claims Database, this study examined hospital- and patient-level predictors of behavioral health readmission rates. Among hospitals with at least 25 annual admissions, the median behavioral health readmission rate was 11% (10th percentile, 3%; 90th percentile, 18%). Increased follow-up at community mental health centers was associated with lower probabilities of readmission, although follow-up with other types of providers was not significantly associated with hospital readmissions. Hospital average length of stay was positively associated with lower readmission rates; however, the effect size was small. Patients with a prior inpatient stay, a substance use disorder, psychotic illness, and medical comorbidities were more likely to be readmitted. Additional research is needed to further understand how the provision of inpatient services and post-discharge follow-up influence readmissions.
authors: Truven Health Analytics, 7700 Old Georgetown Road, Ste GSO, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. tami.mark@truvenhealth.com
authors: Tami L
authors: TL
authors: Mark
authors: Tami
authors: T
authors: Mark
authors: Karen Smoyer
authors: KS
authors: Tomic
authors: Niranjana
authors: N
authors: Kowlessar
authors: Bong Chul
authors: BC
authors: Chu
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Vandivort-Warren
authors: Shelagh
authors: S
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult