A new UW Medicine study shows that primary care follow-up after emergency department visits for mental health and substance-use conditions remains very low. Analysis of Washington Medicaid data found only 11% to 14% of patients received a related primary care visit within 30 days. The findings highlight persistent gaps in care coordination despite efforts to improve behavioral health access.
The study reviewed more than 860,000 claims and found emergency departments often serve as key safety nets for patients without routine care. Researchers identified barriers including limited handoff protocols, stigma, and constrained primary care capacity. Lower follow-up rates were also seen among non-Hispanic Black individuals and people experiencing homelessness.
The researchers believe the results underscore the need for targeted investments and policy changes to improve continuity of care and reduce disparities, ultimately supporting better long-term outcomes for patients with behavioral health conditions.