Massachusetts Blues Foundation Report Identifies ER Use Caused By Behaviaoral Health Continuum Gaps

A Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation report has identified emergency room use caused by gaps in the state's behavioral health continuum. Between 2011 and 2016, the number of behavioral health-related emergency department visits for mental health disorders rose by 9%; the number of emergency department visits for alcohol use disorders rose by 40%; and the number of visits for other substance use disorders (SUD) rose by 54%. Between 2011 and 2015, the share of emergency department visits for behavioral health disorders with length of stay (LOS) lasting 12 hours or more rose from 17.4% in . . .