Psychiatric hospitalization characteristics associated with insurance type

This study examines the relationship among types of insurance and characteristics of inpatient psychiatric treatment. Data include 46,998 adult psychiatric or substance abuse cases from all 1991-1992 Washington State discharges from short-stay general hospitals. Large and significant differences among payers exist in treatment characteristics, controlling for diagnosis and patient age. For example, length of stay is longest among commercial and Medicare payers. Emergency admissions are more common among public payers, and elective admissions are more common among private payers, including HMOs, Results are discussed in light of policy and administration issues that will arise as financing for mental health services comes under greater capitation.