Youth Suicide Risk Rose In Missouri After State’s Transition To Medicaid Managed Care

The youth suicide risk among Missouri children following a psychiatric hospitalization rose after the state transitioned to Medicaid managed care in May 2017. The 60-day suicidality rate following a psychiatric hospitalization nearly doubled for children and adolescents with insurance coverage that shifted from Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) to managed care following the statewide expansion. The switch from FFS to managed care is estimated to have induced nearly 200 additional hospital visits by Missouri children and adolescents for suicide attempt or ideation within 90 days of discharge from a psychiatric hospital.

These findings were reported in “Rates of Suicidality . . .