Predictors of outpatient mental health clinic follow-up after hospitalization among Medicaid-enrolled young adults

Aim To assess demographic and clinical predictors of outpatient mental health clinic follow-up after inpatient psychiatric hospitalization among Medicaid-enrolled young adults. Methods Using logistic regression and administrative claims data from the Maryland public mental health system and Maryland Medicaid for young adults ages 18–26 who were enrolled in Medicaid (N = 1127), the likelihood of outpatient mental health follow-up within 30 days after inpatient psychiatric hospitalization was estimated . Results Only 51% of the young adults had any outpatient mental health follow-up visits within 30 days of discharge. Being black and having a co-occurring substance use disorder diagnosis were associated with a lower probability of having a follow-up visit (OR = 0.60, P < 0.01 and OR = 0.36, P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, those who utilized any outpatient public mental health services during the 180 days prior to their index hospitalization (N = 625, 55.4%) were more likely to have a follow-up visit than those without prior outpatient use (OR = 2.45, P < 0.01). Prior Medicaid-reimbursed primary care visits were not significantly associated with follow-up. Conclusions In this predominantly urban, low-income statewide sample of young adults hospitalized for serious psychiatric conditions, half did not connect with an outpatient mental healthcare provider following their discharge. Outpatient transition supports may be especially needed for young adults who were not receiving outpatient services prior to being admitted for psychiatric inpatient care, as well as for young adults with substance use disorders and African Americans.